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Back to Press Releases 13 January 2026

BnM and ESB Awards €55,000 in new Scholarships to 10 Students through the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme

Tuesday 13th January 2026

BnM and ESB are proud to announce the recipients of the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme. €37,500 has been awarded to an additional six new scholars, bringing the total number of recipients of the scheme to 10 local students. 

Since it was launched in 2024, €55,000 has been awarded through the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Fund. This scholarship initiative is a cornerstone of the wind farm’s community engagement strategy, providing financial support to local students pursuing further education. 

The scholarship includes a monetary grant for each student to the value of €2,500 for each year of study, up to a maximum of four years. Students must live in the vicinity of Oweninny Wind Farm to be eligible to apply. 

Applications for the Scholarship scheme were evaluated against predefined criteria, giving special consideration to courses related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and those contributing to sustainability, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Applications were welcomed from all third level courses and further education, from Level 6 and upwards as per the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). 

The Scholarship scheme is directly funded by the renewable energy generated at Oweninny Wind Farm. This scheme forms part of the wider Oweninny Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund package which provides annual grant funding for a variety of initiatives and schemes in local communities.  

The new recipients of the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Fund in 2025 are: 
  • Seamus McDermott 
  • Shane Mullarkey 
  • James Mullarkey 
  • Zara Moyles 
  • Patrick O’Malley 
  • Eoghan Spencer 

Speaking at the announcement of the scholarship awards, John Reilly, Head of Renewable Energy at BnM said, “We would like to congratulate the latest recipients of the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarships. This is an essential part of our broader investment into the communities where we operate. We are extremely proud of all of the students we have supported through the programme to date. This investment highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting local students, community groups, and near neighbours, with a focus on education and sustainability.” 

John Gartland, Manager of Wind Operations at ESB said, “ESB is delighted to announce the recipients of the Oweninny Wind Farm Educational Scholarship Scheme. This initiative reflects our, and our partner BnM’s, commitment to empowering communities and creating meaningful opportunities for local students. By supporting students in STEM and related fields, we are investing in the skills and knowledge that will drive Ireland’s clean energy transition and strengthen communities for generations to come.” 
Students living in the vicinity of Oweninny Wind Farm who wish to find out more about the scholarship programme can do so by visiting oweninnywindfarm.ie.  
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