Among last year’s benefitting areas were counties Antrim, Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Tyrone.

More than €230,000 was invested by communities in Ireland and Northern Ireland by Ørsted in 2023.

With 21 wind farms generating 378 MW of green electricity across the island of Ireland, Ørsted is dedicated to being an active partner in the communities where we operate. For every windfarm that we operate, we have set up community benefit funds in accordance with the Wind Energy Ireland Best Practice Principles in Community Engagement & Community Commitment.

Ørsted’s community benefit funds are linked to the size of our operational assets. During 2024, a total budget of €335,000 is available for applications from across the island. 

Among last year’s benefitting areas were counties Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Tyrone, while 2023 also marked the commencement of Ørsted’s first ever County Antrim fund following the opening of Ballykeel Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland in October. 

Spraoi agus Sport in Co. Donegal were awarded €60,000 in funding from the Sorne fund spread over three years. Speaking to the impact of the funding, CEO Helen Nolan said: “The €60,000 funding from Ørsted was critical in enabling us to access the Rethink Ireland Growth Fund Programme which invests in best-in-class social enterprises.  We are delighted that Ørsted believes in the power of our work, this financial support will enable Spraoi agus Spórt to expand our community initiatives, bring new ideas and programmes to our community, fostering greater inclusivity and well-being. This funding will empower us to reach deeper into our community, scaling up our successful social enterprise model for broader impact.”

Mullinavat G.A.A club in Co. Kilkenny also successfully applied for funding from the Ballymartin and Smithstown fund for the development of a second pitch and a community walkway. Tom Duggan, Club Secretary, commented: “The application process was straightforward, and we were delighted to secure €7000 to invest in our local club. Up until now, there have been no safe areas to walk as our rural location has very few footpaths, but with Ørsted’s support our new floodlit walkway has enabled adults and juveniles to exercise in a safe area throughout the year, which has facilitated our participation in the ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking initiative. Meanwhile the addition of a second playing field will create greater opportunities for training and playing of G.A.A games.”

Concluding Amy Ahern, who is responsible for Operations and Landowner Community Liaison at Ørsted, said: “When we invest in new green energy infrastructure, we are also investing in communities, and committing to becoming a cooperative partner in an area for the long-term. We believe in giving back to the areas in which we develop and produce renewable energy, and we will consider all requests for donations or funding that we receive under our 21 community benefit funds across Ireland and Northern Ireland.”

“Our funds are open for applications all year round and we encourage community organisations located close to our windfarms to consider how financial support from Ørsted may help your ideas come to life by getting in touch with us.”