EirGrid North Connacht Community Benefit Fund Consultation |
Have your say in shaping EirGrid's North Connacht Community Benefit Fund Strategy
EirGrid develops, manages and operates Ireland’s electricity grid. In this role, EirGrid is also leading the secure transition of our electricity grid to a sustainable low-carbon future. The electricity grid brings power to industry and businesses that use large amounts of electricity. It also powers the electricity network that supplies the electricity used in homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and farms. This work means balancing electricity supply and demand every minute of every day, while also planning for Ireland’s long-term electricity needs.
As part of its work to achieve this, a key grid development project is due to commence construction in parts of the North Connacht area in late 2025. The North Connacht 110 kV Project will add a new line to the electricity grid in Co. Mayo and Co. Roscommon which will strengthen the grid in Connacht. It will provide electricity capacity to meet increasing electricity demand, supporting economic growth in the area. By connecting to renewable energy, it will also help to meet Ireland's climate action targets. More information on the project can be found on EirGrid’s website here.
€1.53 Million Community Benefit Fund
As part of its work to achieve this, a key grid development project is due to commence construction in parts of the North Connacht area in late 2025. The North Connacht 110 kV Project will add a new line to the electricity grid in Co. Mayo and Co. Roscommon which will strengthen the grid in Connacht. It will provide electricity capacity to meet increasing electricity demand, supporting economic growth in the area. By connecting to renewable energy, it will also help to meet Ireland's climate action targets. More information on the project can be found on EirGrid’s website here.
€1.53 Million Community Benefit Fund
In recognition of the support of local communities and the temporary disruption which may be caused during the construction phase, EirGrid has created a €1.53 million community benefit scheme to be invested in affected communities for the period 2025-2028 (tbc). The fund will be open to community groups and voluntary organisations located, or operating, within a 2km zone of the proposed cable line between Ballina, Co. Mayo and Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon (please see map below). A detailed map, outlining the route and the area of benefit can also be found here.
Have Your Say
To ensure that the fund is designed for the local community, by the local community, EirGrid and SECAD Partnership (fund administrators) are inviting local community and voluntary groups, individuals and local stakeholders to take part in a consultation process to explore the needs and priorities of the local area. As part of this engagement, you are invited to share your thoughts and ideas through a short online survey which will help to inform the development of the North Connacht Community Benefit Fund strategy. This survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday, 18th October 2024.
Should you have any queries in relation to the consultation, please do not hesitate to contact kkearns@secad.ie or noconnell@secad.ie. Please note that all submissions will be treated confidentially and in line with SECAD's privacy policy, which can be found here.
Should you have any queries in relation to the consultation, please do not hesitate to contact kkearns@secad.ie or noconnell@secad.ie. Please note that all submissions will be treated confidentially and in line with SECAD's privacy policy, which can be found here.