West Offaly groups supported by Shannonbridge Community Benefit Fund

The ESB has provided funding to five community groups in West Offaly from its Shannonbridge Temporary Emergency Generation Community Benefit Fund

ESB is currently constructing Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) at the former West Offaly Power site. The Shannonbridge TEG project, progressed on behalf of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the Department of Energy, Climate and Communications (DECC) and EirGrid, is one of a suite of policy actions geared at bolstering the security of Ireland’s electricity supply.

A Community Benefit Fund (CBF) was established as part of the project with the aim of encouraging stronger interaction and engagement with communities living close to the site. Last Thursday, February 22, Fionn Griffin, ESB’s Emergency Generation Manager and Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement at EirGrid presented five local community groups with funding from the inaugural Shannonbridge TEG Community Benefit Fund at the Community Hall in Shannonbridge (pictured).

The local community groups which have benefited from this fund are Shannonbridge Tidy Towns Committee, Shannonbridge Meals on Wheels, Raghra Christmas Lights, Shannonbridge Community Hall, and the Belmont Men’s Shed. The work undertaken by these community groups benefits Shannonbridge and surrounding areas, with a number of supported projects developing local sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.

Fionn Griffin, ESB’s Emergency Generation Manager, said: “ESB has a longstanding history in Shannonbridge and surrounding areas, dating back to the 1960s. We are delighted, along with EirGrid, to continue to support local and worthwhile initiatives as we redevelop parts of the former West Offaly Power into a site providing temporary emergency generation. We understand from our history the impact that projects of this scale can have on local communities in Shannonbridge. This award of funding to local initiatives is consistent with our values and our obligation to act as a good neighbour and partner during the delivery and operation of major infrastructure projects. We, at ESB, would like to thank the Shannonbridge community for their continued support.”

Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement, EirGrid, said: “Through the cooperation and support of communities in Shannonbridge, we, along with our partners are working to deliver this Temporary Emergency Generation to ensure a reliable supply of electricity into the future. It is fantastic to see funding covering an array of positive initiatives in the area, transforming living spaces, enabling more sustainable community amenities and overall enhancing the well-being of people in the area on an annual basis through this fund.”