EirGrid welcoming applicants for €1.53 million Community Benefit Fund for Mayo project

EirGrid, operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, has announced the opening of the first phase of the community benefit fund for the North Connacht 110kV project. 

Applications for the first phase of the €1.53 million fund are now being welcomed, with €612,000 in funding available to eligible communities and volunteer groups in this round. 

The fund has been established by EirGrid to recognise the importance of the local communities hosting this critical infrastructure project to strengthen the electricity grid in the region. 

The project will add a new 110kV underground line to the electricity grid in Co Mayo and Co Roscommon, increasing grid capacity in the area and accommodating more renewable energy. Construction of the project, which will power 150,000 homes, is due to start early this year. 

The 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. The deadline for this round of applications is 5pm on Friday, March 13. 

A number of information events will be held to ensure community groups can learn more about submitting an application to the fund. The first event will take place on Tuesday, February 24, at 6.30pm in the Swinford Cultural Centre. On Wednesday, February 25, at 10.30am an information event will take place at the Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina while on the same day at 2.30pm Ballaghaderreen Community Resource Centre will host an information event.

Speaking about the fund opening, Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement with EirGrid, said: “At EirGrid, we acknowledge the vital role local communities play in facilitating our grid development work, and that is why we are committed to providing direct benefits to those who are supporting the transition to a stronger, more renewable energy system.  

“We also acknowledge and appreciate that local organisations are reliant on volunteers when it comes to preparing funding applications and plans. That is why at EirGrid, we appoint independent facilitators to work with our liaison officers and community forum to provide information and support throughout the process and I would strongly encourage people to attend our information events to avail of this support and advice. 

“Collaboration with communities is key to this infrastructure being developed, ensuring a resilient energy future for generations to come.” She continued: “We want to thank the community for the support we have received to date on this project, including from the members on our community forum, and we look forward to continuing this engagement with relevant stakeholders as we work to deliver this vital project.”

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