Timahoe North Solar Farm: Fund Opening on Tuesday 13th January 2026
Sundew Solar DAC is pleased to announce the opening of a new Community Benefit Fund on Tuesday the 13th of January 2026 for communities near to Timahoe North Solar Farm in Co. Kildare.
The Timahoe North Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund is part of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-2), a key policy initiative to deliver on the Government’s Climate Action Plan, and it is structured in line with the requirements of the Rulebook for Community Benefit Funds under RESS.
The Fund, administered by SECAD Partnership, will provide financial assistance to local communities and not-for-profit organisations within a prescribed distance of the solar farm (subject to the project meeting the overall terms and conditions of the Fund) over the next 15 years as part of a broader package of local development supports being delivered in the area.
Funding will be available in the first instance for community and voluntary groups, non-profit groups, clubs and societies, or organisations with a charitable status which aim to deliver community improvements and services within 10km of the solar farm.
A key criterion is that the projects and initiatives will benefit the communities surrounding the solar farm.
As part of this strand of funding, a minimum of 40% of the overall Fund shall be paid to not-for-profit community enterprises whose primary focus or aim is the promotion of initiatives towards the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, Goals 4, 7, 11 and 13, including education, energy efficiency, sustainable energy and climate action initiatives.
The closing date for applications will be 5pm on Friday 20th of February 2026.
Further information about the Community Benefit Fund and fund documents will be made available on the dedicated website https://www.timahoenorthsolarfarm.ie/ once the fund opens.
Getting started on your project ideas early will greatly assist with your application, as a well-developed project is key to a successful outcome.
It is essential to note that applications from groups/organisations that do not submit the required documentation with the application form, such as planning permission, planning exemption or owner permission, will not proceed to evaluation stage.
Sundew Solar DAC held an information session in the locality in November 2025 to provide the Community with an opportunity to learn more about the Fund and the application process. If you could not attend this session, please contact SECAD Partnership with any questions you may have by emailing info@secad.ie with the subject line “Timahoe North Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund”.
In the meantime if you have questions relating to the new Community Benefit Fund, please contact the appointed Fund administrators, SECAD Partnership, by emailing info@secad.ie with the subject line “Timahoe North Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund”, or alternatively call James (Community Liaison Officer) on 087 7087022.
A map (for illustrative purposes) relating to the Timahoe North Solar Farm CBF area is given below:
