Tipp community groups can benefit from fund
Soleire Renewables is delighted to announce the opening of a new community benefit fund, which will award more than €270,000 each year to local voluntary groups, clubs and charities in the Roscrea area. The Erkina Community Benefit Fund has been established in conjunction with the energisation of the Erkina Solar Park, located south of Roscrea.
The solar farm project, which was developed in partnership by Irish renewable energy company Soleire Renewables and independent power producer ILOS Energy Ireland, will have the capacity to export 172MW of renewable electricity - enough to power almost 37,000 homes.
As part of the project, a €272,000 community benefit fund will be available each year for 15 years to support local community groups, clubs and charities which deliver community good and services to the areas within 4.5km of the solar farm. The Erkina Solar Project Community Benefit Fund will open for applications on Tuesday, June 23.
The fund will be administered by M-CO, an independent strategic design and project management company who specialise in the areas of climate action and community development. It will be overseen by a Fund Committee made up of five local volunteer representatives who are active in local community organisations.
The fund is part of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), a key policy initiative to deliver on the Government’s Climate Action. Local community groups, sporting bodies, and voluntary non-profit organisations can apply for funding for projects that contribute to the socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of the areas in which renewable energy projects operate.
As part of its support for local communities, Soleire Renewables has also previously sponsored the 2024 and 2025 Knock Tractor Run, which supported three local charities.
Construction work on the Erkina Solar Park commenced in late 2024. The project began its energisation process with EirGrid in late 2025 and has begun exporting renewable electricity to the national grid this year.
Consisting of three interconnected sites near Roscrea, a unique feature of the Erkina Solar Park is that over 50% of the land area being used for the development is being actively farmed and also co-located with an existing wind farm operated by Greencoat Renewables, providing a diverse income for local farmers.
PJ McCarthy, Project Director at Soleire Renewables, said: “We at Soleire Renewables are pleased to announce the establishment of the Erkina Solar Park Community Benefit Fund, which will provide more than €270,000 each year to local causes and groups. With a committee of local volunteers now in place to oversee the distribution of this significant funding stream, we look forward to receiving applications from local groups, and distributing the first round of funding later this year.”
Mark Varian, Managing Director for ILOS New Energy in Ireland, said: “This fund will deliver a positive impact to Roscrea and the surrounding areas, with a focus on promoting sustainability, community development, education, and local well-being. ILOS Energy is here for the long term as an operating partner for landowners and the local community.”
FURTHER DETAILS
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, September 1. Applicants can learn more about the fund and how to apply by registering and attending one of our information sessions:
July 23 (online session), 7-8.30pm - register your attendance at Eventbrite.ie
TiFurther details on the fund and how to apply are available at: https://soleirerenewable.submit.com/