Ireland Community Investment Review
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IRELAND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT REVIEW 2020/21 CONTENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION TO THE SSE RENEWABLES FOREWORD Dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the coronavirus COMMUNITY FUND pandemic has taken a significant toll on people all across the world. The SSE Renewables is Ireland’s largest generator of wind power and pandemic challenged us all in a way we could not have foreseen, people and is the power behind leading green energy provider and sister were asked to make fundamental changes to how they live their lives company SSE Airtricity. The company provides voluntary community to keep everyone safe across society. Most inspiring however, has been funding from its wind farms in support of energy efficiency, safety and the steps that the communities we work with have taken to protect their sustainability projects. This funding is awarded to community groups most vulnerable residents and provide for them a support network in near SSE Renewables’ wind farms in Ireland and Galway Wind Park times of great uncertainty. which is a joint venture with Greencoat Renewables. The Galway Wind Volunteers worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure vital services were available at a time that they were Park Community Fund was launched in 2018 and, at around €400,000 most needed. While we know that providing funding was the easy part of this response, we are proud to have played a role in supporting communities. By responding quickly and consistently, both at the annually, is the largest community fund of its kind in Ireland. outset and throughout the pandemic, we have been able to provide the essential funds needed to support Through its annual Community Fund programme, SSE Renewables has awarded €8.9m so far to over community initiatives. 3,200 community projects in the communities closest to its wind farms. This funding has helped support We don’t underestimate the impact that the severe restrictions have had on local areas and it is clear there local groups, sports organisations and schools among others to develop their facilities with energy may be many challenges ahead but our objective is to support communities as they recover from this efficiency and sustainability upgrades as well as social and environmental projects that enable community pandemic in the coming months and years ahead. development. Although much of 2020 was dominated by the pandemic, for Ireland it marked a significant step forward This year marks a change in the name of the funding programme. Previously promoted under the SSE in terms of climate action with first round of auctions in new Renewable Energy Support Scheme. It is vital Airtricity brand, the programme will now be known as the SSE Renewables Community Fund. The change we focus on ambitious policies, strategic investment and focused renewable developments as the sound is designed to better link annual funding award payments from SSE’s wind farms across Ireland to SSE basis for a green recovery and the net zero journey. SSE Renewables is committed to supporting Ireland to Renewables, which owns and operates each of the company’s wind farm sites with the exception of our achieve this. community fund for Galway Wind Park which is a joint venture with Greencoat Renewables. As we look forward to 2021, we will support Ireland’s green recovery with the continued development of projects both on and offshore, including Arklow Bank Wind Park, Phase 2, the first of the next generation CONTENTS of offshore wind energy sites in Ireland. We are delighted to have commenced construction of the onshore Lenalea Wind Farm in Co. Donegal. This project will play a key role in advancing the transition P2 Introduction P7 Investing in Young People to a zero-carbon future and meeting Ireland’s climate action goals. We look forward to working with our co-development partners Coillte Renewable Energy and local Donegal communities to realise the positive P3 Foreword P8 Supporting Communities social and economic benefits that Lenalea Wind Farm will deliver, both during construction and throughout When They Need It Most its operational lifetime. P4 Funders Report 2019/2020 P11 Galway Wind Park Major Project Fund SSE has shown how serious we are about fulfilling our purpose to build a better world of energy by being a P5 Capturing Our Impact lead sponsor of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit in Glasgow. The P14 Our Funds in Focus summit will provide a global stage to showcase the work we have done to provide clean energy to millions P6 Enhancing Community Investment of homes. We are putting ourselves on the front line of climate change and supporting the summit as it sets a clear framework for a truly just transition to net zero. Mark Ennis SSE Ireland Chairman August 2021 2 3 FUNDERS REPORT FUNDERS REPORT FUNDER’S REPORT 2020/21 CAPTURING OUR IMPACT €1.1m 19 We have implemented a new approach for demonstrating how the community funds make a difference. awarded in scholarships The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for provided all. SSE Renewables recognise the value of the goals in measuring the impact of our community benefit and 2020/2021 have integrated the goals into our fund priorities and evaluation approach. All funding themes of our Irish funds have been aligned to the following Sustainable Development Goals: Ensure access to Ensure healthy lives affordable, reliable, and promote well- sustainable and €355,170 being for all at all ages. 412 supporting the modern energy for all. community groups pandemic response supported Ensure inclusive and Make cities and human equitable quality settlements inclusive, education and promote safe, resilient and lifelong learning sustainable. SUPPORTING THE UN SUSTAINABLE opportunities for all. DEVELOPMENT GOALS 14% UN Goal 4 2021/22 priorities 11% UN Goal 4 Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) – we are committed to helping Ireland achieve ambitious climate targets. Our approach supports the growth of the green economy and commits to sharing the SD Goal 7 benefit with local communities. In line with RESS Good Practice Guidelines we will enhance and develop 7% our community benefit policy and commitments. 68% SD Goal 11 Lenalea Wind Farm – Lenalea received the green light for development and construction after it won a 15- year contract for low carbon power in the first round of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS1), Ireland’s first competitive auction for onshore wind. The Donegal wind farm is a co-development project with Coillte Renewable Energy. The wind farm entered construction in 2021 and aims to be operational by 2023. Local consultation will be completed in the next year to determine the priorities and focus of the 2020/21 has been a unique and challenging year. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every Irish community fund. community and helping communities during the crisis has been the central focus for our funds during the last year. SSE Renewables quickly recognised that the funds we operate could play an important part in Pandemic Recovery – the annual wind farm local community funds will revert to their original timeframes community responses to the pandemic. We took the decision in Spring 2020 to release the funding for all but will be available to support communities as they recover from the impact of the pandemic. our local Ireland wind farm funds early so that it was available for the community initiatives. Over €350,000 was distributed within six months to help local coronavirus responses. Arklow Bank Wind Park – Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 will be located in the Irish Sea off the coast of Despite the challenges of the pandemic we have worked to ensure that other priorities have not been Arklow, Co. Wicklow. The 520MW offshore wind project is the next phase of wind energy development delayed. In January 2021 we launched the second round of the Galway Major Project Fund which will at the Arklow Bank. By 2025, SSE Renewables intends to install up to 62 turbines, with the ability to power support transformational projects within 10km of Galway Wind Park. We have operated our established almost 450,000 homes annually and offset over half a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year. scholarship programmes to ensure young people have the best start in life. Consultation with communities and key stakeholders is ongoing on the project. 4 5 COMMUNITY YOUNG PEOPLE ENHANCING INVESTING IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENT YOUNG PEOPLE SSE Renewables is committed to being a leader in delivering impactful community Young people are one of the generations most impacted by the pandemic benefit funds. The publication of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme with the cancelling of exams and a reduction in job opportunities. The (RESS) Good Practice Guidelines is welcomed and will enable the enhancement challenges facing school leavers was at the forefront when the Galway of our approach to work with local communities. Wind Park (GWP) Scholarship Fund was launched in October 2020. The fund enabled 19 young people located within 10km of the Galway Wind Park, our joint venture with Greencoat Renewables, to benefit OUR CORE FUNDING PRINCIPLES: from a life changing investment in their future. PLACE-BASED FUNDER €59,650 How has the scholarship made a difference to you? awarded to 19 students in 2020/21 The scholarship helped immensely in the payment Focusing on the areas near our renewable development sites and the specific of my tuition at NUIG and meant I could focus more on my studies for my final year. Thanks to the aid needs of the communities within these areas. The scholarship programme helps local students with provided by the Galway Wind Park, I was able to put the their student fees and living expenses whilst creating money I earned on the weekends towards tuition for a pool of well-trained and experienced professionals, my Masters.