New Offaly community fund proposed

Offaly County Council is hoping to facilitate the establishment of a countywide community fund, backed by renewable energy projects in the region.

The concept is understood to be similar to that which led to the establishment of the West Offaly Enterprise Fund, after the closure of the Ferbane Power Station, and the North Offaly Development Fund, following the shutdown of Rhode Power Station.

The centralised fund could provide a significant injection for rural areas of the county, being increasingly chosen for large renewable energy projects.

Initial discussions are believed to have taken place with some of the larger companies involved in the sector in Offaly.

Consultants are to be engaged to prepare a business case for the project, with funding from Government also likely to be sought to supplement the scheme.