FuturEnergy Ireland and SSE Renewables have launched the new Community Benefit Fund for Lenalea Wind Farm in Co. Donegal. The fund opens for applications from Tuesday 18 March.
Details of the new community benefit fund for Lenalea Wind Farm – a 30MW operational onshore wind farm located around 10km southwest of Letterkenny – were unveiled at an event held at Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, on Wednesday march 12. The event was attended by key local stakeholders including many who played an important role in determining the wind farm’s funding strategy.
Lenalea Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, part of FTSE-listed SSE plc, and FuturEnergy Ireland, a joint venture between Coillte and ESB. The seven-turbine wind farm connected to Ireland’s national grid in late 2023 and is now generating renewable energy.
Delivery of Lenalea Wind Farm represented a €40 million capital joint investment by SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland, supporting 35 construction jobs at peak in Donegal. Beyond its environmental and local economic contributions, the wind farm will now deliver direct benefits to the local community through the Lenalea Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
The fund will support initiatives that bring social, environmental and economic improvements to the area. For its first year, the fund will provide €40,000 in grants to community groups, social enterprises, charities and sports clubs within a 10km radius of the wind farm. In subsequent years, the annual fund is expected to increase to approximately €150,000.
The fund strategy and its design were determined as a result of extensive community input. Following consultation in 2022 and 2023, a local Community Benefit Committee was established to guide the fund’s allocation. This Committee, composed of community representatives, played a key role in shaping the funding strategy, which sets out priorities for grant applications to ensure the funding provided aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This will help ensure the fund provides impactful projects within the locality of the wind farm.
The Community Benefit Fund will be open to applications from Tuesday March 18 2025. The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday April 25 2025.
Anne Walsh, Community Engagement Manager at FuturEnergy Ireland, said: “The Lenalea Community Benefit Fund is about more than financial support, it’s about empowering local communities and creating lasting positive change. By working closely with the Community Benefit Committee, we are confident that the funding strategy reflects the needs and priorities of the people who live and work in the local area.”
Vicky Boden, Senior Community Investment Manager, said: “At SSE Renewables, we have been successfully sharing the value of our renewable assets with local communities for over 20 years. We are proud to continue that legacy with the launch of the Lenalea Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. It will offer community groups in the area a fantastic opportunity to nurture local projects that will make a real difference. We are excited to see how this funding will help community groups, schools, and charities thrive.”
In 2024, SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland entered into a long-term corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Microsoft. Under this agreement, the renewable electricity generated by Lenalea Wind Farm’s seven Vestas V117-4.3MW turbines will support Microsoft’s goal of powering its data centre operations with 100% renewable energy.
Lavinia Morris, General Manager of Microsoft’s EMEA Data Centre Operations, commented: “Microsoft is proud to be part of a project that not only delivers cleaner energy, but also contributes directly to local communities. This initiative aligns with our sustainability commitments, ensuring that renewable energy projects bring economic and social benefits alongside environmental impact.”
For further information on the Lenalea Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and application details, please visit www.sserenewables.com/lenalea
Caption: Emmet Mc Laughlin, FuturEnergy Ireland, Vicky Boden, SSE, Toni Forester, Letterkenny Chamber, Annette Duffy, SSE, and Anne Reynolds, SSE, at the launch of the Lenalea Community Benefit Fund
