Our story
Since 2008, SSE Renewables has supported over 8,000 community projects with grants of £67m. In 2021/22 alone, community funds in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland delivered over £9.6m in grants to community projects, helping over 1,048 not-for-profit organisations realise their ambitions.
Slieve Kirk Wind Park is the largest wind farm in Northern Ireland. It can generate 73.5MW of clean, green energy to power almost 65,000 homes. Through the Slieve Kirk Community Fund, generated from income from the wind park, SSE Renewables makes over £170,000 per year available for local projects that promote the green transition more widely and/or social sustainability.
Our advice
The community funds are based around achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). When planning how the funds are allocated, each project's aims and impacts are plotted against these goals to ensure the money is put to the best use.
During the COVID pandemic, funds were diverted and made available more quickly to support those working with the most vulnerable and isolated people. Being agile is crucial, particularly when working in a crisis.
Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the local projects we fund that empower communities for green transition and/or build sustainable communities.
Empowering Communities for Green Transition:
Supporting community-led initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable resource use, and enhance environmental stewardship through clean energy, low-carbon technologies, circular economy practices, climate-resilient infrastructure, and biodiversity activities.
Building Sustainable Communities:
Promoting social equity, well-being, and economic resilience through inclusive community infrastructure, accessible education and skill-building programmes, social enterprise, and health-focused initiatives that strengthen community capacity and opportunity.
