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WDC gets €1 million to Develop Wood Energy Sector in Western Region Western Region’s wood resources present new enterprise and job opportunities The Western Development Commission (WDC) has secured European Union (EU) funding of €1 million to develop the wood energy sector in the Western Region. The funding, part of a wider EU three-year €2.8 million project, will support farmers, rural enterprises and rural communities to expand the wood heat sector. The funding was announced by Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy. Mr Ó Cuív said, “I welcome this funding to help develop the wood energy sector. Part of the WDC’s work is to ensure that the Western Region captures the value of its abundant natural resources and the renewable energy sector is a key area for economic growth. As a source of energy, wood is very feasible for people living in rural areas and the project will increase deployment of renewable energy technologies in rural economies, resulting in a range of economic impacts including the creation and retention of employment, and the piloting of new business concepts and products. The increased renewable energy uptake will impact positively on regional competitiveness, innovation and diversification of economic activity in rural areas.” Ian Branigan, Development Manager at the WDC said, “Renewable energy is a key area of potential for economic growth, and although the Western Region has 40% of Ireland’s wood resources, the wood energy market is underdeveloped compared to international levels. This project will provide training, advice and support to farmers, small farming businesses and private forest owners to help convert their forestry resources into enterprises that generate revenue and job opportunities.” “Our research has shown that, up to now, there have been some barriers to growing the market for wood fuel including low levels of market confidence, lack of information about the market and limited technical and business skills. The EU funding will allow us to actively tackle these issues to ultimately increase the use of renewable energy technologies in rural economies,” he added. The project, Regional Approaches to Stimulating Local Renewable Energy Solutions (RASLRES), will receive total funding of €2.8 million, under the EU INTERREG Northern Periphery Programme, which includes international partners from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Finland and the Faroe Islands. The WDC, as the project’s lead partner, has secured €1 million for Ireland’s Western Region covering counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Bernadette Phelan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC explained, “A lot of the forestry plantations in the west were planted during the 1980s and 1990s. This resource is therefore at an age suitable for first and subsequent thinnings so the project is very timely. Developing the wood energy market will create a market for these forestry thinnings and will encourage farmers to actively manage their forestry which in the long run results in a better timber harvest when the trees are fully mature.” Ms Phelan says that a critical characteristic of wood energy is that it consists of ‘local loops’ of demand and supply in defined geographic areas. These ‘local loops’ typically have high level of indigenous activity and thereby retain a high percentage of profits locally. She says that as an economic activity the sector is firmly tied to the regional economy in which both the natural resource (the fuel) and the market is located. The project will include an awareness and information campaign to highlight the opportunities for fuel producers as well as information for end users about the advantages of using wood energy. “For schools, hospitals, hotels and factories, the project will provide impartial advice and expertise on the feasibility of using wood to supply their energy requirements,” she added. ”We are presently finalising the details with our international partners and the EU INTERREG Secretariat and the project’s new website will go live in the coming weeks. By early 2010 we will start to roll out the various support services to the region’s wood energy sector and we will publish information in the local media about how people can get involved. Ultimately the success of the project will hinge on the involvement of the farm forestry sector and end-users working in cooperation with us,” she said. As the sector develops, other beneficiaries will include forestry contractors, haulage companies for transporting wood fuel from source to end-user, and plumbers, engineering and electrical contractors who install boilers and fuel storage systems such as fuel silos, bunkers and handling systems. The funding evolved from the strategic regional wood energy project which the WDC has led since 2007 when it brought together public and private stakeholders to develop a long term plan. It has worked closely with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Teagasc, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources as well as private forest owners and local communities. WDC research shows that the West could develop an indigenous, sustainable, renewable energy resource delivering 11% of the regions’ heat needs by 2020 and create up to 900 additional jobs. To deliver 11% of the region’s heat needs would require over 470,000 tonnes of wood fuel, generate an additional €15 million to the economy and provide €1.7 million to the west’s farming sector each year. The jobs created would be spread across the entire supply chain from private forest owners, to haulage companies, to plumbing, engineering, and electrical companies. Additionally the estimated CO2 emissions saved annually would equate to taking over 92,000 cars off the roads in the west of Ireland. Ms Phelan concluded by saying that as well as the economic benefits and job creation opportunities, the development of the wood energy sector will increase awareness of the carbon economy and environmentally sensitive behaviours – for both individuals and enterprises – including the wider use of green technologies which benefits the economy as well as the environment. People wishing to find out more about the project can contact Bernadette Phelan, Regional Development Executive, WDC, Tel: 094 986 1441, email bernadettephelan@wdc.ie. Ends For further information please contact: Bernadette Phelan, Development Executive, WDC, 086 834 0279 or Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217
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Bioenergy Project Ignites Interest In Western Region RASLRES: REGIONAL APPROACHES TO STIMULATING LOCAL RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS The Western Region of Ireland is poised to reap the benefit of an almost €3 million multi-national bio-energy project being led by the Western Development Commission. The RASLRES project is a European-funded initiative that aims to benefit the Western Region in a number of crucial areas related to renewable bio-mass, namely supplying local energy from local sources and delivering sustainable jobs to rural areas. At a meeting of regional stakeholders in Carrick-on-Shannon 12th March, it was disclosed that already the WDC has received around 125 enquiries about involvement in the RASLRES project from regional businesses and organisations, which has overwhelmed and delighted the partners according to Ian Brannigan, Regional Development Manager for the WDC. “The interest in being part of this innovative project in the West is clear from the stir it has already created. We see RASLRES as being a stepping stone to enable rural areas to use their natural resources to create sustainable economic development and help Ireland reach emissions targets in the process.” Bernadette Phelan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC explained, “A lot of the forestry plantations in the west were planted during the 1980s and 1990s. This resource is therefore at an age suitable for first and subsequent thinnings so the project is very timely. Developing the wood energy market will create a market for these forestry thinnings and will encourage farmers to actively manage their forestry which in the long run results in a better timber harvest when the trees are fully mature.” WDC research shows that the West could develop an indigenous, sustainable, renewable energy resource delivering 11% of the regions’ heat needs by 2020 and create up to 900 additional jobs. To deliver 11% of the region’s heat needs would require over 470,000 tonnes of wood fuel, generate an additional €15 million to the economy and provide €1.7 million to the west’s farming sector each year. The jobs created would be spread across the entire supply chain from private forest owners, to haulage companies, to plumbing, engineering, and electrical companies. Additionally the estimated CO2 emissions saved annually would equate to taking over 92,000 cars off the roads in the west of Ireland Given the high level of interest already shown in being part of the RASLRES project, Brannigan stated that formal expressions of interest are now being sought from wood growers, suppliers or potential end users of wood energy. Brannigan urged people, however, to submit their expressions of interest for consideration immediately by contacting Ian Brannigan at ianbrannigan@wdc.ie. FURTHER INFORMATION: Ian Brannigan Regional Development Manager Western Development Commission Email: ianbrannigan@wdc.ie NOTE TO THE EDITOR: RASLRES is a project funded by the Northern Periphery Programme (www.northernperiphery.eu). The RASLRES project will: - build awareness of opportunities for rural communities to produce and supply locally produced biomass (wood, seaweed and energy crops) to towns and cities - provide business development support to rural biomass producing communities - development of biomass supply chains through direct business and community engagement RASLRES is an international partnership which includes: • Western Development Commission – Ireland • Action Renewables – Northern Ireland, UK • Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – Scotland • Municipality of Norsjö – Sweden • Oceanrainforest Ltd – Faroe Islands • VTT, Technical Research Centre – Finland Ian Brannigan was speaking at a meeting of the Regional Wood Energy Advisory Group in Carrick-On-Shannon on Friday 12th March. The Regional Wood Energy Action Group will act as an advisory group to the project for its duration until 2012. Its members include: - Paul Dykes and Pearse Buckley, Sustainable Energy Ireland - Steven Meyen and Barry Caslin, Teagasc - Richard Browne, Department from Communications, Energy and Natural Resources - Doirín Graham and Gloria Callinan, Clare Local Development - Geraldine O’Sullivan, Irish Farmers Association - Peter Keavney, Galway City Council - Peter Cafferkey, Department of Agriculture - Conor Lawlor, Sligo Institute of Technology - Charles Sweeney, Donegal County Council - Fiona Ní Mhurchadha, Udarás na Gaelteachta - John O’Brien, Irish Bioenergy Association SPREAGTAR SPÉIS I dTIONSCADAL BITHFHUINNIMH I RÉIGIÚN AN IARTHAIR RASLRES: CINEÁLACHA CUR CHUIGE RÉIGIÚNACHA CHUN RÉITIGH ÁITIÚLA MAIDIR LE FUINNEAMH IN ATHNUAITE A SPREAGADH Tá Réigiún an Iarthair chun tairbhe a bhaint as tionscadal bithfhuinnimh ilnáisiúnta de luach beagnach €3 mhilliún atá á stiúradh ag Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair. Is tionscnamh maoinithe ag an Eoraip é RASLRES a bhfuil mar aidhm aige cabhrú le Réigiún an Iarthair tairbhe a bhaint as roinnt réimsí ríthábhachtacha a bhaineann le bithmhais in athnuaite, is iad sin, fuinneamh áitiúil a sholáthar ó fhoinsí áitiúla agus poist inbhuanaithe a chur ar fáil i gceantair tuaithe. Ag cruinniú na bpáirtithe leasmhara réigiúnacha i gCora Droma Rúisc an 12 Márta, nochtadh go raibh thart ar 125 fiosrúchán ó ghnóthais agus ó eagraíochtaí réigiúnacha le spéis acu i bpáirt a ghlacadh sa tionscadal RASLRES faighte ag an WDC cheana féin, rud a chuir gliondar croí ar na comhpháirtithe de réir Ian Brannigan, Bainisteoir Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC. “Is léir ón bplé atá á dhéanamh faoi go bhfuil spéis ag daoine i bpáirt a ghlacadh sa tionscadal nuálaíoch seo san Iarthar. Is cloch chora é RASLRES a chuirfidh ar chumas ceantar tuaithe a n acmhainní nádúrtha a úsáid chun forbairt eacnamaíoch inbhuanaithe a dhéanamh, agus a chabhróidh le hÉirinn spriocanna maidir le hastuithe a bhaint amach ag an am céanna.” Mhínigh Bernadette Phelan, Feidhmeannach Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC, “Cuireadh an chuid de na fáschoillte foraoiseachta san iarthar le linn na 1980í agus na 1990í. Mar sin, tá sé in am an acmhainn seo a thanú den chéad uair, agus beidh sí le tanú arís ina dhiaidh sin. Dá bhrí sin, tá an tionscadal thar a bheith tráthúil. Tríd an margadh fuinnimh adhmaid a fhorbairt, cruthófar margadh do na tanúcháin foraoiseachta seo agus spreagfar d’fheirmeoirí bainistíocht ghníomhach a dhéanamh ar a bhforaoisí, rud a bheidh ina chúis le baint fheabhsaithe adhmaid nuair a bheidh na crainn go hiomlán aibí.” Léiríonn taighde an WDC go bhféadfadh an tIarthar acmhainn fuinnimh dhúchasach, inbhuanaithe, in athnuaite a fhorbairt a sheachadfadh 11% de riachtanais teasa an réigiúin faoi 2020 agus a chruthódh suas le 900 post breise. Chun 11% de riachtanais teasa an réigiúin a chur ar fáil, bheadh gá le breis agus 470,000 tonna de bhreosla adhmaid, ghinfí €15 mhilliún breise don gheilleagar, agus chuirfí €1.7 milliún ar fáil d’earnáil feirmeoireachta an iarthair gach bliain. Bheadh na poist a chruthófaí scaipthe ar fud an tslabhra soláthair, ó úinéirí foraoisí príobháideacha, go cuideachtaí tarlaithe bóthair, go cuideachtaí pluiméireachta, innealtóireachta agus leictreachais. Lena chois sin, meastar go mbeadh an laghdú ar astuithe CO2 in aghaidh na bliana cothrom le breis agus 92,000 gluaisteán a bhaint de bhóithre in iarthar na hÉireann. Toisc líon na ndaoine a luaigh go mbeadh spéis acu i bpáirt a ghlacadh i dtionscadal RASLRES cheana féin, chuir an tUasal Brannigan in iúl go bhfuil léirithe spéise foirmiúla á lorg ó shaothróirí agus soláthraithe adhmaid nó ó úsáideoirí deiridh féideartha fuinnimh adhmaid anois. Mhol an tUasal Brannigan do dhaoine a léirithe spéise a chur in iúl láithreach trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuige ag ianbrannigan@wdc.ie chun go bhféadfaí iad a mheasúnú. TUILLEADH FAISNÉISE: Ian Brannigan Bainisteoir Forbartha Réigiúnaí Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair Ríomhphost: ianbrannigan@wdc.ie NÓTA DON EAGARTHÓIR: Is tionscadal é RASLRES atá maoinithe ag Clár an Imill Thuaidh (www.northernperiphery.eu). Maidir leis an tionscadal RASLRES: • méadóidh sé feasacht ar na deiseanna atá ann do phobail tuaithe bithmhais áitiúil (adhmad, feamainn agus barraí fuinnimh) a tháirgeadh agus a sholáthar do bhailte agus do chathracha • cuirfidh sé tacaíocht forbartha gnó ar fáil do phobail áitiúla a tháirgfidh bithmhais • forbróidh sé slabhraí soláthair bithmhaise trí chaidreamh díreach a bhunú le gnóthais agus leis an bpobal Is comhpháirtíocht idirnáisiúnta í RASLRES a bhfuil na grúpaí seo a leanas páirteach inti: • Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair – Éire • Action Renewables – Tuaisceart Éireann, an RA • Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – an Albain • Bardas Norsjö – an tSualainn • Oceanrainforest Teo – Oileáin Fharó • VTT, Lárionad um Thaighde Teicniúil – an Fhionlainn Bhí Ian Brannigan ag labhairt ag cruinniú den Ghrúpa Comhairleach Réigiúnach ar Fhuinneamh Adhmaid i gCora Droma Rúisc Dé hAoine, an 12 Márta. Cuirfidh an Grúpa Comhairleach Réigiúnach ar Fhuinneamh Adhmaid comhairle ar an tionscadal ar feadh a shaoil, is é sin go dtí 2012. I measc a chuid ball tá: • Paul Dykes agus Pearse Buckley, Fuinneamh Inmharthana Éireann • Steven Meyen agus Barry Caslin, Teagasc • Richard Browne, an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha • Doirín Graham agus Gloria Callinan, Forbairt Áitiúil an Chláir • Geraldine O’Sullivan, Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann • Peter Keavney, Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe • Peter Cafferkey, an Roinn Talmhaíochta • Conor Lawlor, Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Shligigh • Charles Sweeney, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall • Fiona Ní Mhurchadha, Údarás na Gaeltachta • John O’Brien, Cumann Bithfhuinnimh na hÉireann