BnM invests €164,900 in local communities in Offaly through Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gains Schemes

BORD na Mona has awarded €164,900 to local community groups and residents through the 2025 Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gains and Near Neighbour Schemes. This includes €112,100 distributed to 26 community groups working across a variety of areas including education, sports, and community amenities. Additionally, €52,800 has been allocated for near neighbour supports for local residents, providing contributions towards electricity bills.

This funding forms part of BnM’s broader commitment to ensuring that the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure creates lasting value for the communities in which it operates. Community investment is a central pillar of BnM’s 5GW renewable energy pipeline, which is directly supporting Ireland’s National Development Plan.

Community organisations that received funding through the 2025 Mountlucas Community Gains Scheme include North Offaly Community Development’s Meals on Wheels service, Walsh Island Shamrocks, Daingean National School, Offaly School of Special Education, and the Molesworth Bridge Playground among others.

BnM established the Mountlucas Community Gains Scheme in 2014 in cooperation with local communities in Offaly neighbouring Mountlucas Wind Farm. The current scheme value in 2025 is €112,100.

To date, BnM has provided over €963,000 in funding to local community groups through the Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gains Scheme. Nationally, this year BnM invested €1.4 million through our renewable energy community funds, supporting a range of initiatives including near neighbour schemes, education projects, and local enterprise.

Applications for the Mountlucas Community Gains Scheme are assessed by a committee comprised of members of the local communities of Daingean, Mountlucas and Walsh Island. The Community Gains funding has benefited a variety of local causes and organisations including schools, sports clubs, community amenities and facilities, and social initiatives since its inception.

BnM’s investment in the communities neighbouring Mountlucas Wind Farm has delivered valuable local amenities, providing long-term recreational and educational benefits. This includes over 10 kilometres of walking and cycling trails, an outdoor gym, a sensory garden, and an interactive Learning Hub where visitors can learn more about renewable energy.

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John Reilly, Head of Renewable Energy at BnM, added: “BnM’s renewable energy pipeline is directly contributing to Ireland’s sustainability goals under the National Development Plan. Our renewable infrastructure projects are delivering clean, secure energy to the national grid while creating long-term value for the regions in which we operate. The Mountlucas Community Gains and Near Neighbour Schemes reflect this approach, ensuring that investment in renewable infrastructure also delivers tangible benefits and opportunities for local communities, while supporting Ireland’s wider economic and environmental goals.”

Alison Tilley, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager with BnM said: “Mountlucas Wind Farm continues to play an important role as part of Ireland’s journey towards energy independence and achieving our climate action goals. It is essential that the local community benefits directly from this important piece of national infrastructure. BnM is delighted to announce the allocation of funding to 26 local projects as part of the Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gains Scheme. Additionally, our Near Neighbour Scheme continues to provide support to members of the local community.

BnM is incredibly proud to work with and support the local communities where we operate, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an application for funding through this year’s Community Gains Scheme.”

For further information on the Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gains Scheme, please go to: mountlucaswindfarm.ie

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