EirGrid awards more than €567,000 to community groups in Mayo and Roscommon as construction of critical grid project begins

EirGrid has awarded community groups and non-for-profit organisations near the North Connacht 110kV project a total of €567,643.22 as part of the associated Community Benefit Fund. 

The funding, which follows the beginning of construction of the critical infrastructure project, will benefit 34 local community projects and groups. 

This is the first of three phases of funding available to communities in the area, with the total fund amounting to €1.53 million. 

The fund has been established by EirGrid to recognise the importance of the local communities hosting the North Connacht 110kV project in the region.  

The latest phase of funding covers three streams, with €204,000 allocated through the community stream, €204,000 for projects covering sustainability initiatives, and €159,662 for biodiversity projects. 

Speaking about the announcement, EirGrid’s Head of Public Engagement, Sinead Dooley, said: “The North Connacht 110kV Project will not only contribute towards meeting our climate action targets but will also provide electricity capacity to meet increasing energy demand, supporting economic growth, housing and businesses in this region. 

“We recently reached a significant milestone in the project, with our delivery partners ESB Networks starting construction and this fund shows the value that we place on collaborating with the communities who are hosting this infrastructure, and we also acknowledge the temporary disruption during delivery. 

“We are very proud to support the huge efforts of voluntary groups to improve their communities through civic, environmental and sustainable initiatives, and we look forward to seeing what will be achieved through this fund.” 

The North Connacht 110kV project will add a new 110kV underground line to the electricity grid in Co Mayo and Co Roscommon, powering 150,000 homes and accommodating more renewable energy.  

The associated community benefit fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, voluntary organisations, and community groups who can demonstrate how communities benefit from the services, facilities or programmes they provide in the project area, and will be divided equally between the three streams of funding: community, sustainability and biodiversity.  

The €1.53 million fund is released in three phases: when construction begins, mid-way through project construction, and when the project is complete.   

To ensure that these grants are distributed in a transparent, participatory and inclusive manner, independent facilitator SECAD is responsible for administering the fund.  

Dooley concluded: “At EirGrid, we recognise the importance of communities in our work to strengthen the electricity system, and we want to thank the communities for their support to date for this project, including from the members on our community forum. We look forward to continuing this engagement as we work to deliver this critical project.” 

For more information, visit www.eirgrid.ie/northconnacht#communitybenefitfund.