Community
Benefit

Renewable energy projects which are developed under the current Renewable Electricity Supply Scheme (RESS) will have a significant community benefit fund associated with them. This contribution is currently set at €2/MWhr.

The value of the Clonberne Wind Farm fund would be directly proportional to the electricity generated by the wind farm. Under current T&C’s of RESS, the following would be required for Clonberne Wind Farm:

 

  • Direct payments – to those living closest to the wind farm. A minimum €1,000 payment per annum for houses within 1km of the proposed development

  • Sustainability – Up to 40%/year would be available for the development of energy/sustainability initiatives to benefit people living in the local area

  • Administration costs - a maximum of 10% of this fund to be made available for the administration and governance costs of the fund.

  • Support for local groups –The reminder would be available for local groups, clubs and not for profit organisations that provide services in the local area. This would include services for the elderly, local community buildings, and the development of sporting facilities such as all-weather playing pitches, etc.

 

The Community Benefit Fund belongs to the local community and is administered by the local community. The premise of the fund is that it should be used to bring about significant, positive change in the local area. The fund committee, a group of local volunteers, is the decision-making body of the fund. They are at the heart of the decision-making process. This comes with responsibility and some complexity, but local decision-making is the key to success.

Community Survey