Major windfarm's benefit fund opens for applications from Offaly communities

SSE Renewables is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Yellow River Community Benefit Fund, created to deliver meaningful support to communities surrounding the Yellow River Wind Farm, outside Rhode, in County Offaly.

Developed in line with the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund will contribute €2 per megawatt hour of renewable electricity generated. This is expected to provide a significant annual fund to support local initiatives.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit groups operating within a 10km radius of a Yellow River Wind Farm, with priority given to those within 5km. The fund offers two streams of support; the Local Community Fund is designed to assist small-scale, grassroots initiatives that make a difference locally, while the Major Projects Fund focuses on large-scale projects with long-term impact.

The fund is designed to support community projects that address local challenges through innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs), with a focus on supporting initiatives that promote quality education, clean energy, sustainable communities, and climate action.

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The Yellow River Community Benefit Fund will open for applications on Monday, 12 January and close at 5pm on Monday, 2 March. To support prospective applicants, an information workshop will be held in person on Monday, 26 January at Rhode GAA Hall and Tuesday, 27 January at Rochfortbridge Community Centre. An online information workshop will follow on Wednesday, 4 February. To register for a workshop, please email yellowrivercbf@sse.com.

Speaking about the Community Benefit Fund, Annette Duffy, Community Investment Manager at SSE, said “We’re delighted to launch the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund, which reflects our commitment to supporting the communities that host renewable energy projects. This fund will help local groups deliver initiatives that make a real difference, from small grassroots projects to major developments that create lasting impact. I encourage all eligible community groups to apply and join us in creating positive change for the region.”

The Yellow River Wind Farm, which underpins this fund, began construction in October 2022 and reached completion in 2025. At peak delivery, the project has supported approximately 150 full-time construction jobs, with the final wind turbine installed in June 2024. Comprising of 29 turbines with a total installed capacity of over 101 MW, Yellow River Wind Farm can generate enough renewable electricity to power up to 75,000* Irish homes each year and offset nearly 70,000* tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.sserenewables.com/yellow-river/ or email yellowrivercbf@sse.com.

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