Edenderry Rural Community Group celebrated the power of wind after an award from the Thornog Community Benefit Fund.

An initiative by the Energia Group, the annual Thornog Community Benefit fund now totals over £45,000 a year.  The wind farm fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland on behalf of Energia and opens for applications every autumn.

In addition to the award made to Edenderry Rural Community group (pictured) grants were awarded to Ederney Community Development Trust, St. Joseph’s GAA Club, NFC Kesh, and Drumquin Young at Heart Club.

Community groups and charitable organisations operating within seven miles of the wind farm, near Drumquin, Ederney and Lack, can apply for funding. Grants range from £500 up to £10,000 and are available for projects which promote sustainability. The fund encourages cross-community collaboration and joint applications from groups working together with a shared goal.

Power of renewables

Thornog Wind Farm is located near Ederney and Lack in County Tyrone.  It consists of eight Nordex N90 turbines and has a total capacity of 20MW.  It has been operational since 2014.

The wind farm produces enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 15,000 average households and avoids the release of nearly 16,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, which is equivalent to taking around 5,800 cars off the road.

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