2024 Community Benefit Fund Now Closed for Applications
The 2024 Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is now closed.
Should you have any queries on your application or the Community Benefit Fund, please contact M-CO on 01 887 0630 or communitybenefitfund@mco.ie.
Cloncreen Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme 2023 is now closed for applications!
The Cloncreen Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme 2023 is now closed for applications.
Thank you for your participation.
Should you have any queries on your application, or the Educational Scholarship Scheme, please get in touch with the Cloncreen Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme project team by email via cloncreenwindfarm@bnm.ie. Alternatively, please contact our Community Liaison Officers Stephen on 087 3486624 or Enda on 087 0579141.
Community Benefit Fund
Bord na Móna’s Cloncreen Wind Farm has awarded €150,000, to be shared across 23 local projects adjacent to the wind farm through its Community Benefit Fund.
The Fund is administered by M-CO, an independent strategic design and project management company who specialise in the areas of climate action and community development.
The 2023 funding has benefited schools, sports clubs, general amenity, social initiatives, as well as community facilities. Please see below for this years list of recipients and projects supported:
Near Neighbour Scheme
Electricity Contribution
As part of the Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, Bord na Móna has also launched a Near Neighbour Scheme.
The Near Neighbour Scheme offers electricity bill payers living within a prescribed distance of a wind turbine an annual discount on their electricity bills*.
Cloncreen Wind Farm introduced the Scheme based on various research carried out and through engaging with local communities, which indicated that the provision of direct benefit to residents who lived in close proximity to a wind farm should be considered.
The Scheme is part of the company’s extensive community benefits package.
Energy Efficiency Contribution / Education Support
The second aspect of the Near Neighbour Scheme is the provision of funding for individual residential properties within a prescribed distance of a wind turbine, to carry out energy efficiency measures on their property or use towards education support or towards the purchase of an EV vehicle*
In advance of commencement of works all homeowners must complete a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment on their property to enable them to identify energy efficiency improvement works that could potentially be carried out on their property. Cloncreen Wind Farm has appointed Evolved Energy to carry out the BER Assessments for the residents.
Currently, the company is progressing a significant number of BER Assessments for residents adjoining the wind farm. Following the completion of the Assessment, applicants to the Scheme will progress to the next stage of the Scheme.
Examples of Energy Efficiency measures which can be carried out on homes include:
- Attic Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Installation of Solar PV System
- Upgrade of Windows and Doors
- Installation of Solar Thermal System
- Upgrade of Heating Systems and Controls.
The education support measure could provide assistance to residents covering a variety of courses, from a level 6 Certificate to a Master Degree.
*subject to terms and conditions
This Fund has been established to support the local community with approximately €5 million of funding committed over the 15-year lifetime of the Fund.
Clonbullogue Launches Community Action Plan
Congratulations to Clonbullogue Development Planning Group who officially launched their Community Action Plan in March 2022.
The Community Action Plan was supported by Cloncreen Wind Farm and developed in conjunction with Offaly Local Development Company.
It is envisaged that this plan will aid the Community in identifying potential community projects to bring forward for funding as part of Cloncreen Wind Farm's Community Benefit Fund once the wind farm enters commercial operation.
We look forward to supporting the community and the various projects identified in the Community Plan over the coming years.
Well done to everyone involved!
Click here to view the report
Amenity Plan
Similar to Mountlucas Wind Farm, amenity facilities (such as utilising the internal road network for walkways/cycleways) will be incorporated as part of the Cloncreen project. Approximately 21 km of internal road network will be constructed as part of the development.
In addition, to enhance the amenity potential of the site, the project team are continuing to develop a wider amenity plan for the Wind Farm.