The Bunnoe Community Enterprise Centre in Cavan was one of the successful beneficiaries of the SSE Renewables 2021/22 fund and received a grant for the installation of an Electric Vehicle (EV) charger based beside the community centre.
SSE Renewables, has awarded over €96,000 this year to community groups close to its Bindoo and Gartnaneane wind farms in Cavan, and Mullananalt wind farm in Monaghan through its community benefit fund.
Patsy Fitzpatrick, who is a volunteer at the Bunnoe Community Enterprise Centre has been involved with the group since its inception back in 1999. According to Patsy, the group was initially formed as a way to "improve" the local community and the original building of the centre itself which he described as "very small" and "hard to heat."
Speaking to Northern Sound, the local volunteer said that people have to travel at least 10km to avail of an EV charging point.
He added that the provision of this charger has "improved efficiency" and "reduced cost" for local people and has attracted people to the area to avail of the charger and other resources.
"The new charger has attracted people to the area to avail of the charger and use other resources whilst waiting and most importantly it demonstrates our commitment and support towards achieving net zero," explained Mr Fitzpatrick.
"We’re about 11km from Cavan and 3km from Cootehill, so we're still a very rural area out here but we’re gradually getting life going in Bunnoe again. It's all about going forward and the more people you can bring to an area the better, it's also important to have the proper amenities in place for them. We're just delighted with it."
Elsewhere 2022/23 projects being supported by the community fund include; Approximately €35,000 of the fund was awarded to five projects, Kill Football Club, Tullycorbet Community Development Association, Latton Social Services & Development CLG, Ballyhaise Development Association and Drumgoon Community Centre Co-Operative Society Ltd to generate around 34kW of solar PV, affordable, clean energy, in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
