Power Capital Renewable Energy has announced the opening of the Ballymoneen Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund, a new long-term funding programme designed to ensure that communities neighbouring the solar farm experience real and tangible benefits from the development.
Located across approximately 140 hectares in the townlands of Ballymoneen and Grange East in Co. Galway, Ballymoneen Solar Farm will generate clean electricity through ground-mounted solar panels connected to the national electricity grid. The project will generate renewable electricity equivalent to the needs of approximately 22,000 homes and is expected to offset approximately 30,000 tonnes of CO?.
The Community Benefit Fund has been established as part of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS ) and will operate for 15 years. Approximately €230,000 will be available annually to support eligible community projects, representing an anticipated investment of approximately €3.45 million over the lifetime of the Fund
The ambition for the Fund is to ensure that the development of renewable energy infrastructure also creates a positive and lasting legacy for the communities that host it. It will support community-led projects that deliver meaningful, visible benefits for local people, improve quality of life and respond to priorities identified by the community itself.
Justin Brown, CEO at Power Capital Renewable Energy, said they are delighted to open the first round of the Ballymoneen Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund.
“This is a long-term investment in the local community, shaped by the ideas and priorities shared with us by local people.
“We hope the Fund will help bring community-led projects to life and create benefits that local people can see, enjoy and be proud of for years to come. We warmly encourage groups and organisations across the area to get involved in this first round of funding.
The Fund will be overseen by a Fund Committee which includes local volunteer representatives, helping to ensure that the community has an ongoing voice in how the funding is invested locally.
Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday December 18 2026.
M-CO has been appointed as Fund Administrator for the Ballymoneen Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund and will support local groups and organisations throughout the application process.
Marion Weymes, Director at M-CO, said: “We want to make the application process as accessible as possible. We encourage local groups to contact us early, whether they have a developed project or an initial idea. Our team will be available to answer questions and provide practical guidance throughout the application period.”
A Community Information Session will take place at Cregmore Park Golf Club on Tuesday October 20th from 7.00pm to 8.30pm, where local groups can learn more about the Fund, discuss potential project ideas and get practical guidance on making an application.
Further information and the online application form will be available through the Ballymoneen Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund application portal: https://powercapital.submit.com/
For queries, contact the Fund Administrators, M-CO, at [email protected].
