Renewed call to join Yellow River Community Benefit Fund
Following a successful series of six community consultation drop-in clinic events across counties Offaly, Meath, Westmeath and Kildare, SSE Renewables is now renewing its call to the local community to provide feedback on the community needs and express an interest in joining the Community Benefit Fund Committee.
SSE Renewables staff met with members of the public and community representatives, in Rhode Parish Hall, Castlejordan National School, Scoil Naomh Phadraig Ballybryan, Croghan Community Centre and Edenderry Golf Club to discuss project updates and explain the importance of helping to shape the future of the community over the next 15 years and beyond. Everyone is encouraged to have their say and complete an online needs assessment survey by Friday, June 30.
Both the online survey, and the 'Expression of Interest' form can be accessed at sserenewables.com/Yellow-River/
Community Investment Manager with SSE Renewables, Jacqueline Durnin, said: “It was amazing to meet so many community volunteers over the last three weeks and understand what the needs and priorities are for each of your organisations. SSE Renewables is committed to supporting the communities near Yellow River Wind Farm to meet their needs and become more sustainable organisations. The Yellow River Community Benefit Fund consultation process is the opportunity for everyone living near Yellow River Wind Farm to have their say. This will ensure that when the Fund opens, that it supports the delivery of meaningful, impactful projects that will leave a long-lasting legacy for years to come.
We invite all members of the community to complete an online needs assessment and highlight the opportunities for investment in the area. Furthermore, if you are interested in helping to shape the funding strategy, we encourage you to complete an online expression of interest form by Friday 30th June.”
SSE Renewables will invest €2 per MWh generated. It is estimated the Community Benefit Fund will total approximately €595k per annum over the course of 15 years. The fund will be strategically aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and will be targeted at the needs identified by the community during the consultation process. Following the operation of Yellow River Wind Farm, the fund will be open to applications from not-for-profit community enterprises, clubs and societies and similar not-for-profit entities.