We’ve awarded funding to a local community organisation  so they can harness natural wind energy at their centre in County L/Derry.  

St Joseph’s GAC, Craigbane, is one of 62 groups across Northern Ireland awarded grants totalling £621,268 from our Energy Efficient Venues programme. The programme offers Lottery cash to local groups to carry out improvements to their community venues so they make savings on their heating and lighting costs and cut down on their spending.

The club has been awarded £49,900 to install a wind turbine in their grounds that will generate enough electricity to provide power and lighting not just in the clubhouse, but in its newly built sports hall.

“Our sports hall, which has the only indoor 3G pitch in Derry City Council, benefits the entire community,” said Development Officer Sean McGuinness . “It is used by people aged from six to 60, and is open all day. The turbine, which will be installed in a 20 metre column, will provide power for the lighting in the hall, changing rooms and gym and for the showers.”

Our Lady’s Home, in west Belfast, has also been awarded £50,000 to carry out a range of improvements including installing a solar water system on its roof, along with a device to reduce the amount of electricity they use.

“The new roof mounted solar water heating system will be particularly beneficial in terms of producing energy savings and reducing Co2 emissions,” said Registered Manager Maureen Munster. “We predict that this alone will save us £910 per year. And the installation of a device to control the electricity we use will cut our associated electricity costs by up to 25 per cent.”

To find about more about the Energy Efficient Venues programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, or call the Big Lottery Fund’s Information and Events team on 028 9055 1455.