Irish Wind Farms invest a record €6.65 million euro into Local Community Initiatives in 2024

22^nd December 2025, Wind farms delivered over €6.65 million in funding to local communities across Ireland last year through community benefit funds, according to the annual Building Communities report from Wind Energy Ireland. This marks the highest level of contributions to date and shows the continued growth of wind energy in Ireland.

Residents and community groups living near or next to wind farms benefited from community funds through investment in local sports clubs, schools, heritage organisations, Tidy Towns and other community organisations.

Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs at Wind Energy Ireland said: “This record level of investment through Community Benefit Funds highlights the positive impact of wind energy on rural communities across Ireland. Not only are wind farms helping to drive down electricity costs, creating jobs and reducing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels, but they are also giving back to their local communities in a meaningful way.”

The report identified the top five counties which received the community funds from wind farms in 2024. Galway received €1,119,451, followed by Cork on €812,119.20, Offaly with €807,382, Mayo on €774,783 and Kerry with €597,907.73.

Among the recipients was Newbliss Childcare Services located in Co. Monaghan. The childcare facility often faced long waiting lists due to high demand in the surrounding area. However, a €30,000 investment through Energia’s Drumlin Park Wind Farm community fund will now support the construction of a new extension, increasing capacity for children between 18 and 24 months.

Patricia Stuart from Newbliss Childcare Services said: “We’ve been looking forward to getting this extension for a long time and would like to thank all our supporters and everyone who’s helped with fundraising, including the new Drumlins Park fund, for making this happen. A rural childcare service like this offers local children a chance to build friendships that can last a lifetime and strengthen our sense of community in the village.”

Other beneficiaries of community benefit funding from local wind farms included a new community hub in Limerick, new fencing, walkway and flood lights for Mullinavat GAA Club in Kilkenny, a state-of-the-art kids’ playground in Cavan and a new GAA pitch for a school in Donegal.

Mr Moran noted, “As more wind farms are developed, more and more rural communities will benefit, both from community benefits, and rate contributions to local councils. Every year around €70 million is provided to county councils via these rate contributions, enabling investment in essential infrastructure such as local roads, rural housing and libraries.”

“These figures show the important role of wind energy and other renewable projects in supporting vibrant rural communities, in addition to deliverin