Press Release

22 July 2009 Page 1 of 3

Airtricity presents €50,000 to local community projects in and

16 Local Groups benefit from Airtricity Community Funds

Airtricity, the renewable energy development division of Scottish and Southern Energy, has presented €50,000 to local community groups in West from its Tournafulla Wind Farm Community Fund for 2009. The presentations were made to local beneficiary groups today (Wednesday 22nd July 2009) at a ceremony hosted by Airtricity and held in the For further media Tournafulla Community Centre, Tournafulla, Co. Limerick. information contact: This year, Airtricity is making grant awards totalling €50,000 to 16 community‐based projects Jason Cooke adjacent to Tournafulla Wind Farm in West Limerick. A diverse range of beneficiary projects Head of Communications from areas including Tournafulla, Templeglantine, Strand, , Glenmore, and Airtricity are being funded.

Tel: +353 1 655 6656 Mobile: +353 86 264 6710 Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company annually makes a financial Email: contribution from each wind farm to local projects. This is the second year that awards have [email protected] been presented for the 18‐turbine Tournafulla Wind Farm, and the first following the commencement of full operations at the site in May 2008. The Tournafulla Wind Farm generates enough electricity to power approximately 18,000 homes and businesses.

Today’s presentation means that Airtricity has contributed €65,000 to local community projects around Tournafulla from the fund to date. Approximately €1 million will be paid over 25 years, the expected life of the wind farm, to community projects around Tournafulla

from these wind farms alone.

In excess of €270 million will be invested by Airtricity into the development of its four Limerick wind farms at Tournafulla, Knockastana, Dromada and . Investment in renewable energy presents an unparalleled opportunity to act as a leading economic stimulant locally and nationally in terms of construction jobs and materials, professional services and through local income in the form of local authority rates, landowner rental and community fund benefits. This investment makes Airtricity the largest net contributor of any renewable energy company to the Limerick region.

Patrick O’Reilly, Tournafulla Wind Farm Supervisor, Airtricity, commented: “Renewable energy investment not only brings economic benefits to the country as a whole, but also specifically to local communities. Airtricity’s investment into the rural economy in which it operates is helping to secure the future of families and communities across , anchoring jobs in the region, and stemming the drain of families and workers from Limerick’s rural heartland at this critical time.

Press Release

22 July 2009 Page 2 of 3

“At Airtricity, we believe that local communities, such as those around Tournafulla, must also see the benefit of each wind farm in their locality. Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme specifically benefits the communities adjacent to each wind farm and is our way of contributing over the life time of the wind farm to the future sustainable development of the area.”

Funding awards to a selection of diverse and innovative schemes ranged from €1,000 to €5,000. Applications for the 2010 Tournafulla Community Fund will open in the Spring of next year and every year thereafter for the life time of the wind farm.

A projects benefiting from the 2009 Tournafulla Community Fund include:

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, Glenmore towards the promotion of Irish music, culture and traditions in the community • Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, Templeglantine towards the promotion of Irish music, culture and traditions in the community • Desmond Ability Resource Complex, Newcastle West towards the purchase of a defibrillator for the community • Dromstrasna National School, Abbeyfeale towards the provision of a new school building • Muintir na Tire Community Council, Templeglantine towards the promotion of local tourism and Tidy Towns • Organic Students Collective, Dromcollogher towards the purchase of a horticultural tractor and equipment • Templeglantine Camogie Club, Templeglantine towards the purchase of vital sporting equipment for the club • Templeglantine Parents Council, Templeglantine towards the purchase of an interactive white board • Tournafulla Camogie Club, Tournafulla towards the purchase of vital sporting equipment for the club • Tournafulla Community Alert, Glenmore towards the purchase of alarms for older people in the community • Tournafulla Defibrillator Association, Glenmore towards the purchase of a defibrillator for the community • Tournafulla Development Association, Tournafulla towards the installation of CCTV cameras • Tournafulla GAA, Glenmore towards the resurfacing of the club’s main playing area • Tournafulla Tidy Towns Committee, Tournafulla towards the development of a scenic river walk • West Limerick Indoor Bowls Club, Tournafulla towards the purchase of new equipment • West Limerick 102fm, Newcastle West towards the promotion of the West Limerick Junior Radio Project

Press Release

22 July 2009 Page 3 of 3

About Airtricity Airtricity is the renewable energy development division of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). The company has responsibility for the development and construction of all SSE Renewable projects across Europe, including onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro, marine and solar projects. Airtricity and SSE’s goal is to protect the future of our planet by delivering renewable energy with passion, innovation and integrity.

Airtricity was acquired by Scottish and Southern Energy Plc in February 2008. Airtricity is Ireland’s largest renewable energy developer and currently has 17 onshore wind farms in the and Northern Ireland generating 378MW, enough electricity to power 180,000 households. The company has a total of 618MW of onshore wind farm capacity in Ireland in operation, in construction or with consent, and is actively progressing a significant development pipeline.

In supply, Airtricity is the No.1 supplier of green energy in Northern Ireland offering domestic and commercial customers an electricity supply that is not only low‐cost but that also significantly reduces their carbon footprint. Airtricity now supplies over 70,000 registered customers in the Irish market with green electricity.