Development of the Green Economy in County Donegal · As a result, the local production of biofuel...
Transcript of Development of the Green Economy in County Donegal · As a result, the local production of biofuel...
Development of the Green Economy in County Donegal
Good Practice Transfer Guide
Reduce the carbon footprint with our 10 Good Practices.
The CO2Free project is co-financed by: The Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG IVC, financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund, helps Regions of Europe work together to share experience and good practice in the areas of innovation, the knowledge economy, the environment and risk prevention. EUR 302 million is available for project funding but, more than that, a wealth of knowledge and potential solutions are also on hand for regional policy-makers.
From research into tidal power to anti-litter campaigns, Donegal in Ireland takes a comprehensive view in its environmental investments. The target is for the region to increase both its use of renewable energy and its own production of this, and to become a leader in the green economy. Donegal County Council is leading a group with representatives from the region’s public services in the areas of healthcare, schools and business development.
Together, they are carrying out a range of measures to become more environmentally friendly. This includes providing environmental education in the construction sector, creating and marketing recycling initiatives in the region, starting research into tidal power and drawing attention to green transport alternatives. Together with regional businesses, the project is also stimulating a transition from oil to locally-produced biofuel for the energy provision of public buildings.
An important lesson from the project is that a broad collaboration can favour the green development of a region in more ways than are immediately apparent.
The most important stages in the project - Establishment of the coordinating organisation within Donegal County Council.- Organisation of the actors involved in renewable energy in the region.- Increased awareness of the green economy in the region.
benefits of the project - The project has to date replaced 1.4 million litres of oil with locally-produced biofuel.
As a result, the local production of biofuel has increased by 5 000 tonnes to a value of 445 000 EUR.
- The project has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 4 550 tonnes.- Eight new jobs have been created.- The collaboration between different areas of activity that the project entails has
contributed to good results, even in other related areas. The partners involved in this initiative have also collaborated in areas of energy efficiency and tourism development.
Success factors- Anchoring the target of making Donegal a leader in the green economy.- Participation from regional public authorities at a central level.- Active participation from all parts of the public services.
If you would like to know more, please contact Mr Charles Sweeney.Telephone: +353 74 917 22 22E-mail: [email protected] information about this Good Practice: www.donegalcoco.ie
A common effort to make Donegal a leader in the green economy
Good Practice: Development of the Green Economy in County DonegalOrganisation: Donegal County CouncilLocation: Donegal County, IrelandPopulation: 147 300More information: www.co2free-project.eu
Benefit from the experiences of this project on bringing together actors and creating activities that favour a green economy.
Table of Contents1 ExecutiveSummary.............................................................................. 4
2 GoodPracticeGuide............................................................................. 6
2.1 Introduction.............................................................................................. 6
2.2 ExistingTransferringAuthorityContext.................................................... 6
2.2.1 BackgroundinformationaboutthetransferringAuthority........................ 6
2.2.2 ContextspecificallyrelatedtotheGoodPractice&itsdevelopment...... 8
2.2.3 RationalefortheGoodPractice.............................................................. 9
2.3 GoodPractice.......................................................................................... 9
2.3.1 CaseStudy–name,acronymandhighleveldescription........................ 9
2.3.2 Scope(original->expanded)................................................................. 15
2.3.3 Criticalsuccessfactors......................................................................... 15
3 TransferringGoodPractice................................................................ 18
1.1 TableofContacts................................................................................... 18
4 Glossary.............................................................................................. 20
1 Executive Summary
TheCountyofDonegalhaspromotedtheuseanddevelopmentofrenewableenergiesinanattempttodeveloptheGreenEconomyForum,workingcollaborativelythroughthestructuresoftheDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardsince2001.
CountyDonegalhasapopulationof147,264(2006Census).Itisapredominantlyruralcountywhereagricultureandforestryarekeyeconomicactivities.12%ofthetotallandareainthecountyiscurrentlyunderforestry.In200736,407hectaresofforestrywasgovernmentownedand22,098hectareswasprivatelyownedforestry.
In1999countycouncilsweregiventheleadroleandresponsibilityfortheestablishmentofCityandCountyDevelopmentBoards(CDB).ThefirsttaskofeachCDBwastoprepareanintegratedcountydevelopmentstrategytocovereconomic,socialandculturalmatters.Thestrategywasrequiredtopresentalong-term(tenyear)visionforthecountyandashorttomedium-term(fiveyear)strategy.InthepreparatorystageofDonegal’sCountyStrategy,allrelevantdevelopmentbodiesandorganisationsinthecountywereconsultedtoincludetheirvisionsandgaintheir‘buy-in’tothecountystrategy.In2002AnStraitéis,theDonegalStrategyforEconomic,Social&CulturalDevelopment(2002–2012)wasadoptedbytheCDB.
TheCDBReviewofDecember2005re-establishedtheimportanceofthegreeneconomysectorwithinAnStraitéis.TheImplementationPlan(2006–2008)identifiedarangeofactionstosupportthewoodenergysector.Theforestryforum,withTeagascasleadagency,wastheappointedstructurethroughwhichtodelivertheactions.
ThroughtheCDBstructurethepotentialofthewoodenergysectorwasrecognisedbyhigh-levelstrategicpolicymakersinthecounty.Thelong-termcommitmenttothesectorbytheCDBandDonegalCountyCouncilbuiltpublicandprivatesectorconfidenceinthepotentialforgrowthinthegreeneconomyandinparticulartherenewableenergysector.
DuetoIreland’speripherallocationatthewesternedgeofEuropeandthelackofindigenouscoal,oilandgassuppliesthereisanoverrelianceonexpensiveimportedfuelstomeetenergyneedsasisevidencedbelow:• IrelandbothNorthandSouthisdependentonasinglepipelinefromScotlandfor90%of
itsnaturalgasneeds.
• 65%ofelectricityfortheislandcomesfromnaturalgas
• 100%ofalloilusedisimported
• 70%ofallsolidfuelusedareimported
• 93%ofIrelandspowergenerationisfromimportedfossilfuels
Thishasresultedinenergycostsintheregionbeinganaverageof28%abovetheEUlevel,adisincentivetoinvestmentandanunfairtaxonanalreadyeconomicallydisadvantagedregionalbusinessandsocialcommunity.Thisrelianceoncarbonreleasingfossilfuelswhichareexpensive,scarceandofteninsecuremeansthattheregionisatacompetitivedisadvantagewhencomparedwithit’sEuropeanneighbours,andisinapositionthatisultimatelyunsustainable.
Itisinthiscontext,andtakingintoconsiderationthatDonegalhasbeendeterminedasthepremiumregionforpotentialwindgenerationinNorthernEuropeandthefactthatthecountyhascloseon10%forestcoverthatDonegalCountyCouncilandDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardhasagreedtohave“thedevelopmentoftheGreenEconomy”asaprioritydevelopmentarea.
4DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.5
ThespecificoutputsoftheworkprogrammesoftheDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardareoutlinedindetailbelowandcanbesummarisedasfollows:
• DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyisaprioritygoalforDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardandDonegalCountyCouncil.
• Towardsthisend,thegreatestpossiblesustainabledevelopmentofrenewableenergyandthepromotionofenergyefficiencyisbeingpromotedbytheCountyCouncilandCDB.
• Vitaltothisisestablishing,accessing,developing,andconsolidatingnetworks.
• Networkstoaccessandsharegoodpracticeandtoactasbasisforcollaborations.
• Networksatcounty,regional,nationalandinternationallevels
• CDB,CDBEnergyForum,CDBRenewablesTrainingConsortium,NorthWestPartnershipBoard,etc.
• ForestLinkIandIIaccessbestpractice,initiateactionswithregardtobiomassasalternativefuelsourceforeconomic,environmentalandcommunitybenefit.
• Non-FoodCropsProject–accesspotentialtoutilisenon-foodcropsassourcesoffuelintheNorthWest.
• ResourceProject–OceanenergyproposedwithNIandScotPartners.
• WindTurbineMaintenanceProgramme–FETACLevelIII(16participants)LYIT
• WindTurbineMaintenanceProgramme–BZEECertification(16participants)LYIT
• WindTurbineMaintenanceFETACLevelV(16participants)Donegal
• Killybegs–DevelopmentofKillybegsasCentreofExcellenceforsupportofoffshoreEnergyIndustry.
• RaslresProgramme–participationinregionalconsortiumforutilisationofbiomass.
• AnswerProject
• SEIEnergyZoneProposal
• Donegalhasgainedexperienceandisdevelopinggoodpracticethatitcanshare.
• Donegalwishedtocontinueinaccessingfurtherknowledge,experienceandaccesstogoodpractice.
• Reachgoalof:
- Reducingenergyusagetosustainablelevels
- Maximumuseofgreenrenewableenergies
- Carbonreductionsandimprovedenvironment
- Importsubstitutionandenergysecurity
- Localeconomicdevelopmentandjobcreation
ThisprogrammeofactivityhasresultedinbringingtheCountyofDonegalfromazerobaselinetotheleadingcountyinIrelandinrelationtothedevelopmentoftheGreeneconomysector,inparticularinrelationtothedevelopmentofthewoodenergymarket
2 Good Practice Guide
2.1 Introduction
Bestpracticeisconsideredtobeanideathatassertsthatthereisatechnique,method,process,activity,incentiveorrewardthatismoreeffectiveatdeliveringaparticularoutcomewithfewerproblemsandunforeseencomplications.Itisconcernedwithefficiency(leastamountofeffort)andeffectiveness(bestresults)inaccomplishingataskandusuallybasedonrepeatableproceduresprovenovertimeinusage.ThisGoodPracticeGuidesaimstooutlinehowtheGreenEconomyhasbeendevelopedfromazerobaseinCountyDonegalbyfocusingonrationaleandadescriptionofhowtheprogrammeofactivityhasbeenimplementedtodate.FurtherinformationcanbemadeavailableandDonegalCountyCouncilishappytofacilitatearesponsetoanyqueriesarisingaswellasstudyvisits.
2.2 Existing Transferring Authority Context
DonegalCountyCouncil,operatingthroughthestructureofDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardhasagreedonadetailedactionplanfortheperiod2009-2012withafocusonthefollowingareas:• TodevelopDonegalasaleadregionfortheGreenEconomy
• TopromoteEnterprise&SkillsDevelopmentintheregion
• TodevelopaDonegalBrandacrossallsectors
• ToensurebestAccesstoServicesforthecommunityofDonegal
• Todeveloptheregion’sNaturalResourcesandTourism
• Tofullydevelopthecounty’sCulturalResources
2.2.1 BackgroundinformationaboutthetransferringAuthority
LoCAL GovErnmEnT AuThorITy:
• 29ElectedCouncillors• 5ElectoralAreas• 1,100Employees• Distributedelectoral-areabasedservicedelivery
rAnGE of funCTIonS:
• Community&Planning&EconomicDevelopment ForwardPlanning,developmentandimplementationofpolicythroughtheCounty
Development,TownandAreaPlans,UrbanandVillageRenewal,DevelopmentControlandSustainableDevelopmentInitiatives,StrategicPlanning,Library,MuseumandRegionalCulturalServicesandArtsProgrammes,YouthCouncil,InwardInvestment,Community&VoluntarySectorSupports,DevelopmentFundsManagementandPromotionofInterAgencyCo-operationandCollaboration
• Roads&Transportation Design,constructionandmaintenanceofroadnetwork,bridges,publiclighting,Road
SafetyandMarine.• CorporateServices MotorTaxation,HumanResources,Training&Development,ElectoralRegister,Council
Meetings,FrontlineCustomerServices,FreedomofInformation&OmbudsmanCaseManagement,PublicRelations&Communications,HigherEducationGrants,InformationSystems.
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• InformationSystems–ICTcompetencies: - Design,implementationandmaintenanceoftheCouncil’stelecommunicationsinfrastructure. - Telemetry - Broadbandprovision-consultancy&constructionphasemanagementofMetropolitan
AreaNetworks(MANS) - CorporateSystemsimplementation&support - GeographicInformationSystems - Systemsanalysisanddesign - SoftwareDevelopment - Applicationssupport - Database&ServiceAdministration - StrategicPlanning
• Housing&Building ManagementandimplementationofSocialHousingMeasures,design,constructionand maintenanceofhousingstock,architecturalservices,landacquisitionandlandbank management,travellerliaison,capitalbuildingprogramme,andfacilitiesmanagement.
• Water,Environment&EmergencyServices Drinking&CommercialWaterSupply,WasteWaterManagement&Treatment, WasteManagementStrategyandImplementation,PollutionControl,Environmental Awareness,BeachManagement,MajorEmergencyPlanning,FireService.
• Finance Financial&ManagementAccounting,BudgetControl,InternalAuditandDebtors Management.
TheroleoftheInformationSystemsDepartmentinthe“GreenEconomy”:EfficienciesandEnergySavings.
DonegalCountyCounciloperatesalargeICTinfrastructureover311physicallocations.Thiscomprises106locationsonaWANwithover1000users.Thehardwareonthisnetworkiscomprisedof:• NoofPrimaryDataCentres-7
• NoofProductionServers-81
• NoofServerLocations-19
• UsableSANCapacity-22.2TB
• NoofDesktopComputers-823
• NoofNotebookComputers-389
• NoofPrinters-735
• NoofScanner/Fax/Photocopier–159
DonegalCountyCouncilisratedasatier1LocalAuthorityintermsofitsICTinfrastructureonanationalbasis.AssuchthereisahighenergyconsumptionrateintherunningofthisICTinfrastructure.
AsaresultDonegalCountyCouncilhasimplementedvarioussystemstoaddressthis:1. Centralisedpowermanagementsystem:automaticscriptedshutdownofpc’sleftrunning
afterworkinghours.2. VirtualisingofServerinfrastructure:primarilyacostsavingdecisionbutwithsecondary
energyconsumptionsavingsaswell3. PurchaseofENERGYSTARratedproducts4. ReplacingCRTmonitorswithLCDdisplays5. SmartLighting6. RemoteDesktopTechnicalSupport
TheroleoftheCommunityandEnterpriseDivisioninrelationtointer-agencydevelopment
TheC&EDivisionsweremandatedtoactastheexecutiveunittofacilitateandsupporttheCDBprocess.TheobjectivesofDonegalC&EDivisionofrelevancetothegreeneconomysectorinclude:• Co-ordinationandassistancetoCDB(andessentialCDBstructures)intheimplementation,
monitoringandevaluationofAnStraitéis
• Managementandadministrationofspecificdevelopmentsupports,programmesandfunds
• Promotionandsupportofeconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentinitiativesinthecounty,andtocoordinatethecountycouncil’sactivitiesinthiscontext
• Actingasaresourceforstrategicplanning,policyandresearchinthecounty
• Promotionofcross-borderdevelopments(economic,socialandcultural)andestablishpartnershipsforsuchdevelopmentswithlocalauthoritiesinNorthernIreland
• PromotionandutilisationofEUresources,networksandmodelsofgoodpracticeinthecontextoftheimplementationofAnStraitéis
• Undertakingtheco-ordinationandimplementationofprojectsonbehalfoftheCDB
2.2.2 ContextspecificallyrelatedtotheGoodPracticeanditsdevelopment• TheGoodPracticehasaRegionalandNationalperspectiveasitadherestobothlocal
andnationallegislationandpolicies.
• ThefollowingaretheagreedactivitiesbeingpursuedthroughDonegalCDBbyDonegalCountyCouncilandit’sdevelopmentalpartners
• TopromoteDonegalasaleadregionfortheGreenEconomy
• Retrainingofconstructionworkersingreeneconomy/enterpriseareas
• Toundertakebio-diversityinitiativesinthecounty
• Toundertakeananti-litterawareness/action
• programmeinthecounty
• Topromoteandfacilitaterecyclinginitiatives
• TodevelopaBio-masssupplychaininthecounty
• Toundertakeresearchintowave/tidalpowerinthecounty
• Undertakeanauditofrenewabletechnologiesandprojects/proposalsunderwayinthecounty
• ToestablishaRenewableEnergyResourceCentreinCountyDonegal
• TopromoteGreenTransportInitiatives
• TopromoteanintegratedwindpowersectorinCountyDonegal
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DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.9
• TodevelopeducationprogrammesforGreenenterprise
• Undertakeactionstopromoteandfacilitateenergyefficiencyinthecounty
• Undertakecomprehensiveretro-fitprogrammesofhousinginCountyDonegalforenergyefficiencyandconservation
• Investigatethepotentialoftheutilisationofawind/hydromodelofrenewableelectricitygeneration
• ResearchandpromotetheuseofrenewablesinDonegalenterprises
• Toexploreandtodevelopmechanismsforcommunityinvolvementandstakeholdinginrenewableenergyprojects
• Exploredevelopmentofbio-fuelpotentialinthecounty
2.2.3 RationalefortheGoodPracticeDuetoIreland’speripherallocationatthewesternedgeofEuropeandthelackofindigenouscoal,oilandgassuppliesthereisanoverrelianceonexpensiveimportedfuelstomeetenergyneedsasisevidencedbelow:• IrelandbothNorthandSouthisdependentonasinglepipelinefromScotlandfor90%of
itsnaturalgasneeds.
• 65%ofelectricityfortheislandcomesfromnaturalgas
• 100%ofalloilusedisimported
• 70%ofallsolidfuelusedareimported
• 93%ofIrelandspowergenerationisfromimportedfossilfuels
Thishasresultedinenergycostsintheregionbeinganaverageof28%abovetheEUlevel,adisincentivetoinvestmentandanunfairtaxonanalreadyeconomicallydisadvantagedregionalbusinessandsocialcommunity.Thisrelianceoncarbonreleasingfossilfuels,whichareexpensive,scarceandofteninsecuremeansthattheregionisatacompetitivedisadvantagewhencomparedwithit’sEuropeanneighbours,andisinapositionthatisultimatelyunsustainable.
Itisinthiscontext,andtakingintoconsiderationthatDonegalhasbeendeterminedasthepremiumregionforpotentialwindgenerationinNorthernEuropeandthefactthatthecountyhascloseon10%forestcoverthatDonegalCountyCouncilandDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardhasagreedtohave“thedevelopmentoftheGreenEconomy”asaprioritydevelopmentarea.
2.3 Good Practice
2.3.1 CaseStudyDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoard(CDB)wasestablishedin2000asapartnershipbasedbodywithresponsibilityforco-ordinatingalldevelopmentandpublicservicedeliveryinCountyDonegal.
In2002,theCDBlaunchedAnStraitéis2002-2012,theDonegalIntegratedStrategyforEconomic,SocialandCulturalDevelopmentanditsaccompanyingImplementationPlan
TheStrategicPolicyUnitisresponsiblefortheprovisionofexecutiveandadministrationsupporttotheDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoard,itsmeetingsandsubcommittees.
ThemembersoftheDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardaredrawnfromallofthekeysectorswithinthecountyincludingLocalGovernment,StateBodies,LocalDevelopment
Companies,SocialPartnersandCommunityandVoluntarysector.TheCDBcurrentlyhas42members;thebreakdownbypillarispresentedinthetablebelow:
CDBPillar No.ofMembers
StateAgency 16
LocalGovernmentSector 9
LocalDevelopmentSector 9
SocialPartner 4
Community&VoluntarySector 3
ObserverStatus 1
TotalCDBMembers 42
TherearefiveCDBmeetingsperyearandanAnnualStrategicDevelopmentDay
ACTIvITIES / ouTPuTS To dATE
In2009,theCDBagreedonadetailedactionplanfortheperiod2009-2012withafocusonthefollowingareas:• TodevelopDonegalasaleadregionfortheGreenEconomy
• TopromoteEnterprise&SkillsDevelopmentintheregion
• TodevelopaDonegalBrandacrossallsectors
• ToensurebestAccesstoServicesforthecommunityofDonegal
• Todeveloptheregion’sNaturalResourcesandTourism
• Tofullydevelopthecounty’sCulturalResources
AteachCDBmeeting,CDBmembersareprovidedwithaprogressupdateoneachofthekeyactivitiesidentifiedinrelationtoeachoftheprioritygoals.
GrEEn EConomy ACTIonS In donEGAL 2002 – 2010
ThedevelopmentoftherenewableenergysectorinDonegalsince2002hascentredaroundthefollowingprojectsandinitiatives:
nETworkInG & CoLLAborATIon
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyisaprioritygoalforDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardandDonegalCountyCouncil.Towardsthisend,thegreatestpossiblesustainabledevelopmentofrenewableenergyandthepromotionofenergyefficiencyisbeingpromotedbytheCouncilandCDB.Vitaltothisisestablishing,accessing,developing,andconsolidatingnetworks.
forEST LInk ProjECT
TheCountyDonegalStrategyforEconomic,SocialandCulturalDevelopmentprovideslong-termcommitmenttoanddirectiononthewoodenergysector.Thewoodenergyagendawasprogressedunderthreesectors:energy;forestryandagricultureandfood.Thereisformalacknowledgementofthemultiplebenefitsofwoodenergyforthelocaleconomicsectors.ThefirstphaseoftheForestLinkprojectwasprimarilyaresearchprojectonthemodels
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DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.11
ofbestpracticeforwoodenergyandcommunitywoodlands.Itestablishedrelationsandpartnershipwithkeystakeholdersanddecisionmakersthrougharangeofactionsincludingtheorganisingofresearchtrips,seminars,andaninternationalconferenceinDonegal.ThesecondphaseoftheForestLinkprojectpromotedwoodfuelenergydemonstrationmodels,supportsthelocalsupplychainandpromotestherecreationaluseofwoodlands.ItwasduringthisphaseofthewoodenergysectordevelopmentthattheDonegalWoodlandOwnersSocietywasestablishedtoprogressthesupplychaindevelopmentwithinprivateforestryowners.
ThewoodenergydevelopmentprogrammepromotedbyDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardhasledtotheprovisionofamarketforlocaltimberproducersandthedevelopmentofthelocalsupplychaintoensuresecurityofsupply.Todatetenlargescaleenergyusershaveconvertedfromoiltowoodfuel,includinghotels,leisurecentresandschools.TheCDBInterAgencyEnergyGrouparecurrentlyinvestigatingthepossibilityofputtingajointEnergyServicescontractinplaceforthemajorpublicserviceenergyusersinthecountywhichwouldseeconversiontowoodenergyinhospitals,leisurecentresandeducationandtrainingcentres
forEST LInk PhASE I (2003 – 2006)
Theprojectsmainaimwastoimplementaninitiativethatwouldassistinthedevelopmentandmanagementofforestryasakeynaturalresourcetogeneratethemaximumeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsfromit.Dedicatedresourceswererequiredtodeliveronthisaim.Theforumprioritisedactionsonthebasisofagreedindustryneedsandpracticality.FiveapplicationsforfundingweremadebytheDonegalCDBForestryDevelopmentForum,ledbyTeagascandtheC&EDivision.Fundingwassecuredin2003throughtheEUProgrammeforPeaceandReconciliation,underMeasure4.1‘OutwardandForwardLookingRegions’.TheForestLinkProjectwaslaunchedinearly2004andwasthefirstofitskindinIreland.AImS
TheForestLinkProjectaimswere:1.Tocreateandenhanceexistinglinkagestopromotecollaborativepartnerships
2.Toprovideinformationonmodelsofbestpracticetoaddvaluetothetimberresourcesofprivategrowersandthecreationofcommunityforests
3.Todevelopawarenessofabestpracticeforcreatingemploymentopportunitiesforlocalcommunitiesanddevelopingcommunityforests,leadingtothecreationofasocial,envi-ronmentalandeducationalresourceforthecounty
4.Toactasacatalystinthestrengtheningoftheforestrysectorbypromotingnewopportu-nitiesforgrowthanddevelopment
Woodenergywasidentifiedasakeyactionareafortheprojectasitisameanstoaddvaluetotheforestresourceandpromotenewopportunitiesforprivateforestryowners.
ProjECT rESourCES
TheForestLinkProjectwasawarded€329,000overthethree-yearperiod2003to2006.TheprojectwasledbyDonegalCountyCouncilandmanagedthroughthestructuresoftheC&EDivision,withnecessaryspecialistadviceandguidanceprovidedbytheCDBForestryForum.DonegalCountyCouncil,astheleadpartner,employedaForestLinkCo-ordinatorwithrelevantdevelopmentandforestryexperience,andprovidedadministrativesupporttotheproject.DonegalCountyCouncilwasthefirstcountytoemployadevelopmentofficerwithforestryexpertise.
ACTIonS dELIvErEd
TheForestLinkProjectdeliveredarangeofactions12andthoseofrelevancetowoodenergyincluded:• Submissiontothemid-termreviewofCOFORDRTDIprogramme
• DevelopmentoftheForestLinkWebsite(www.forest-link.com)
• Researchintoopportunitiesforaddingvaluetoandmarketingofthetimberresource
• Workshopswithstakeholders,includingDonegalCDBandelectedmembersofDonegalCountyCouncil
• Facilitatingsevenresearchtrips,13forrelevantstakeholders.Countycouncillorsandseniorofficialsofstakeholderagenciesparticipatedinthesetrips
• Productionof‘seedtosawdust’directoryofforestry,woodindustryandrelatedbusinesses
• Hostingofwoodtaskforcemeetings
• Renewableenergyinstallertrainingcourse
• Producedguidancenotesondevelopingawoodfuelsupplybusiness
• Hostingoffieldvisitstoinstallationsinthecounty
• Identificationofpotentialwoodheatingsites
• HostingofinternationalConference“LinkingCommunitiestoPolicies”,whichlookedatinternationalmodelsofbestpracticerelatingtowoodfuelenergyinstallations
PhaseIoftheForestLinkProjectwasverymuchresearchbasedandidentifiedinternationalbestpracticefordifferentelementsoftheforestryandwoodenergysectors.Theprojectincreasedthelocalawarenessandunderstandingofmanyforestryandwoodenergyissues.Countycouncillorsandseniorofficialsofstakeholderagenciesparticipatedinthevariousactionsincludingtheresearchvisitsandseminars.Theprojectactivelysoughttofosterposi-tiverelationsandbuildpartnershipswithallpartiesinvolvedinforestryinDonegal.Itdirectlyengagedwithkeydecisionmakersinthecountyandbuiltaprofileforthepotentialecono-mic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsofthewoodenergysector.
forEST LInk PhASE II (2007 – 2008)
In2006theDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodagreedtoprovidea75%granttosupportPhaseIIoftheForestLinkProject(thegrantawardedin2007was€80,000and€75,000in2008).TheCountyCouncilagreedtoprovidethematchfundingandsupportthecontinuationoftheproject.ForestLinkPhaseIIsoughttobuildontheoutcomesofPhaseIbyimplementingthelessonslearnedfromthebestpracticeresearchandtherebysupportthedeliveryofthegoalsassetoutinAnStraitéis.Thetwokeyareasfordevelopmentwereforestrecreationandwoodenergy.TheCDBForestryForumcontinuestoprovideguidanceandadvicetotheproject.
AImS
TheForestLinkProjectPhaseIIaimswere:1.TodevelopthewoodfuelenergymarketinCountyDonegalbypromotingdemonstration
woodfuelinstallationswithinthepublicandprivatesectors
2.Topromotethedevelopmentofthesupplychainrequiredtomeetthedemandsofthegro-wingmarketandinturnsupporttheprivate/smallscaleforestrywoodlandsector
3.Tomaximizethewoodlandresourceasacommunityandrecreationalamenity
DonegalCountyCouncil,throughtheC&EDivision,astheleadpartnerinForestLink,providedtwovitaldrivingfactors.
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• Theprojectmanagementwasinapositiontofacilitateinter-directorateintegrationandco-operationwithinthelocalauthority.Thiswasinstrumentalinprogressingnewprojectsthatwereonlypossiblethroughmulti-directorateintervention,e.g.inputofforestryissuesintothestrategicplanningprocessofthecouncilandagreementofthecounciltousewoodfuelenergyinmajorcapitalprogrammessuchastheRegionalCulturalCentreandtheLetterkennySports&LeisureCentre.
• WorkingthroughtheCDBstructureandprocesses,initiativesweredevelopedthatinvol-vedandimpactedonboththepublicandprivatestakeholdersofthe
Followingthecurrentphaseoftheimplementationofourgreeneconomystrategywewillhavethefollowingeconomicandenvironmentaltangiblebenefitstothecounty:• Substitutionof1.4millionlitresofoil(€868,000exVAT)
• Reductionsof4550tonnescarbon
• FuelSecurity/ImportSubstitution
• Usageof5000tonnesoflocallyproducedwoodresultingin€445,000valueinjectionsintolocaleconomy.
• Creationof8newjobsincounty(2existing,1newsupplier)
• DevelopmentofSupplyChainServicese.g.installations,maintenance,transport
non-food CroPS ProjECT
InIrelandingeneralandintheNorthWestinparticular,werelyveryheavilyonimportedfos-silfuelsforourenergyneeds.Fossilfuelslikeoilarenon-renewableandwilleventuallyrunout.Renewableenergyontheotherhandisprovidedbysun,windandwaterandiscon-stantlyreplenishedandwillnotrunout.
Thegrowingofcropsconvertsenergyfromthesunthroughphotosynthesisintoorganicplantmaterialorbiomass.Thisbiomasscanbeuseddirectlytogenerateheatandorelectricityorcanbeconvertedtoliquids(biofuel)orgases(biogas).
UndertheEuropeanUnion(EU)CommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP),theregimeissuchthatinthemain,cropsthataregrownaredestinedtoenterthefoodchain.Cropsthatarepurposelygrownforotherusessuchasenergy,fibre,oilsetc.arereferredtoasnon-foodcrops.
Bothannualnon-foodcropssuchasoilseedrapeandperennialnon-foodcropssuchaswillowormiscanthus,canmakeaworthwhilecontributiontoourrenewableenergyneeds.
TheprojectlookedattheopportunitiesfortheNonFoodUseofLandbecauseofthefollowingcombinationoffactors:•Themovetowardsglobalisationandworldmarketpricesthatislikelytoresultfromany
newWorldTradeOrganisation(WTO)agreements
•ThedeclineinprofitabilityoffoodproductionforIrishfarmersasaresultofcompetitionfromcountriesthathavehugescaleandlowcostsofproduction
•TheCommonAgriculturalPolicy(CAP)reformthatintroducedfulldecouplingandfreedomtofarm
•IrelandiscommittedunderTheKyotoprotocoltoreducingemissionsthatcontributetooverallglobalwarmingandworryingclimatechange
•Recentworldeventshavehighlightedourvulnerabilityasregardsenergyissuesofrisingcostsandsecurityofsupply
PossiblecropsforgrowthintheNorthWestthatwereexaminedthroughtheNon-FoodUseofLandProjectinclude:• CommercialForestry
• Willow(SalixSpecies)ShortRotationForestry(SRF)
• OilseedRape(Brassicanapus)
• Miscanthus(Miscanthusspp.)
• Hemp(Cannabissativa)
• Flax(Linumusitatissimum)
• ReedCanaryGrass(Phalarisarundinacea)
• Foliage
• Crambe(crambabyssinica)
• Camelina(camelinaSativa),FalseFlax/Goldofpleasure
• Borage(Boragoofficinalis)
TrAInInG & EduCATIon
TheEducationandTrainingConsortiumforRenewableTechnology,asub-committeeoftheboardcomprisingmembersfromLYIT,DonegalCoCo,Fás,ÚdarásandDonegalVECoriginallyproposedthedevelopmentoftheNationalWindAcademyatLYITtotheDCDB.TheDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardhassetthedevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyatoneofitspriorityobjectives.ThisCollaborativeapproachtothedevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyiscentraltothesuccessfulestablishmentoftheNationalWindAcademyatLYITandsuccessfuleconomicdevelopmentofourregion.DonegalCoCo,DonegalCountyDevelopmentBoard,FásandLYITareactivelyworkinginpartnershiptomakethewindacademyinDonegalareality.Donegalisanetexporterofgreenenergytothegrid.Thereisalmost240MWofinstalledcapacityinDonegal,weuseapproximately80MWandexporttothesurplustothegridforuseonbothsidesoftheborder.Thecountyhasthelargestconcentrationofwind-generatedelectricityinthecountry.Asacountyweareleadingthewayinthegenerationofelectricityusingwindpower,weshouldalsoleadthewayintheprovisionofeducationandtrainingtosustaintheachievementofIreland’s2020objectives.Meentycat(SeeFig1)hasalmost100windturbinesgenerating72MWofelectricity.Itisthelargestwindfarmontheisland.ItislocatedbetweenLetterkennyandBallybofeyandisoperatedbyAirtricity(nowScottishPower).
DonegalandLYITcurrentlyhavefirstmoveradvantageintheprovisionofinstalledcapacityandtheeducationofwindenergytechnicians;weshouldstrivetomaintainit.Weshouldcontinuetodevelopthenaturalresourcesinthecounty,forthegoodoftheregionandthatofournation.OneofLYIT’scorestrategicvaluesistheeconomicdevelopmentoftheregionaleconomy.LYIThasprovidedthefirstHigherCertificateinWindEnergyTechnicianundertheLabourmarketActivationschemein2009.IthassoughtandgainedafranchisefromBZEEandonthe18thJanuary2010LYIT’sPresidentPaulHanniganandBZEE,ManagingDirector,NilsPeterssignedafranchiseagreementtoallowtheBZEEWindEnergyServiceTechnicianprogrammetobedeliveredinIrelandbyLYIT.BZEEisaGermanEducationCentreforRenewableEnergies-BildungszentrumfürerneuerbareEnergien-BZEEe.V.Itwasfoundedin2000bytheGermanWindEnergyAssociation(BWE),theChamberofIndustryandCommerce(IHK)andlocalenterprises.Thisprogrammeiscurrentlytheonlyeducationandtrainingprogrammeforwindservicetechnicianswithworldwiderecognition.Itisrecognisedbythefollowingwindturbinemanufacturingcompanies,GamesaWindGmbH,GEWindEnergieGmbH,NordexEnergyGmbH,PowerWindGmbH,REpowerSystemsAG,SiemensWindPowerGmbHandVestasDeutschlandGmbH.ThesecompaniesbetweenthemaresupplyingthemajorityofWindTurbinestoIrishwindfarminstallations.
14DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.15
oThEr InITIATIvES
ResourceProject–OceanenergyproposedwithNIandScotPartners.
Killybegs–DevelopmentofKillybegsasCentreofExcellenceforsupportofoffshoreEnergyIndustry.
RaslresProgramme–participationinregionalconsortiumforutilisationofbiomass.
AnSwEr ProjECT
SEAIEnergyZoneProposal
2.3.2 Scope
2.3.2.1 Requirements/BusinessNeed(s)ThegreeneconomysectorinCountyDonegalhasdevelopedrapidlyoverthepasttenyears.Therearetencommercialwoodenergyinstallationsinoperationandseveralmoreinnegotiation.Sixofthesearelocatedinhotelsandfourareinpubliclyownedcentres.InDonegaltherecognisedbenefitsofthewoodenergysectorinclude:• Afinancialbenefit-duetothedirectcostsavingsofwoodenergycomparedtooil.
Savingsof50to70%havebeenquotedfromwoodenergyinstallationsinCountyDonegal.
• Aneconomicbenefit-aswoodenergystimulatesthelocaleconomywithnewenterpriseopportunities,jobcreationandjobretention,e.g.DonegalWoodlandOwnersSociety,EcowoodEnergySystemsLtd.
• Anenvironmentalbenefit-duetothereductionincarbonemissionsandsupportofincreasedcarbonstoragethroughforestry.
2.3.2.2 Stakeholders/whobenefits?Donegalisapredominatelyruralcounty;agricultureandforestryremainimportanteconomicactivities(12%ofthetotallandareaofthecountyisunderforestry).Biomassbasedontheforestryresourcepresentssignificantdevelopmentpotentialasforestrythinningandresiduesareapotentiallymajorsourceofwoodfuel
TheDonegalCDB,managedbytheC&EDivisionofDonegalCountyCouncil,hasbeenaneffectivevehiclethroughwhichtopromoteandco-ordinatedevelopmentofthewoodenergysector.In2000theCDBForestryFocusGroupwasset-up,andchairedbyTeagasc,toinformtheconsultationprocesstodeveloptheCountyDevelopmentStrategy.
InDonegalthechallengegoingforwardistomaintainthemomentumandfundingneededtocontinuethegrowthofthesector.Thelong-termobjectiveofallthestakeholdersistoestablishasustainablevibrantwoodenergysectorwithinCountyDonegal.TheestablishmentoftheDonegalWoodlandOwnersSocietywhichnowhas126members,whichisevidencethatthesectoritselfrecognisestheneedforcollaborationandhascometogethertoworkcollectivelytothatend.Theneedforcontinuedpoliticalcommitmentandcrosssectorsupportwillbevitalfortheon-goingsuccessoftheindustry.
2.3.3 CriticalsuccessfactorsInlookingattheDonegalexperience,thefollowinglessonswereidentifiedascriticaltosupportingthegreeneconomyandrenewableenergysector.
CohErEnT PoLICy frAmEwork
Donegal’sEconomic,SocialandCulturalStrategy“AnStraitéis”(2002–2012)includedspecificreferencetowoodenergyundertheenergy,forestryand,agricultureandfoodagendas.TheforestrysectorthroughtheCDBForestryGroup,andlatertheForestryForumandtheGreenEconomyForum,tooktheleadonprogressingthewoodenergyactions.TheCDBstructureensuredthattheeffortsofeveryonein,orassociatedto,theforestrysectorwereco-ordinatedinordertoachievetheagreeddevelopmentgoals.
Woodenergywasembeddedinthecountystrategyanditsimplementationplan,andthisensuredthatitwasconsideredwithintheagendaofthecountycouncilandthatitattainedthelevelofcommitmentnecessarytomakeprogress.
CoLLAborATIon And PArTnErShIP
ThecollaborativeapproachoftheCDBwascentraltoachievingtheoutcomesattainedinCountyDonegal.ThesubstructuresoftheCountyDevelopmentBoard,ensuredthatallissues(positiveandnegative)relatingtoallaspectsofthegreeneconomyareconsidered,andthatrealisticgoalswereagreedforthesector.InDonegal,thisinclusiveapproachhadanumberofpositiveoutcomes:• Enhancedrelationshipsbetweenagenciesandstakeholders
• Createdapartnershipapproachbetweenthepublicandprivatesectors
• Increasedunderstandingofforestryandwoodenergyissueswithrelevantstakeholders
• Increasedthecountycouncilsandstakeholdersunderstandingofthepotentialforthegreeneconomysector
• Createdamorepositiveperceptionofgreenindustrieswithinthecounty
• Supportedincreasedopennessandtransparencyamongpartnersduetogreaterunderstandingofindividualsituationsandneeds
AwArEnESS And CommunICATIonS
InDonegal,effectivecommunicationsbetweenthepartnersensuredthattherelevantinformationwasbeingcommunicatedtotheappropriatestakeholder,atthemostopportunetimetohavethemaximumimpact.Thiswastruebothinternally(betweendifferentCouncilDivisions,e.g.roads,planning,waterandenvironment,etc)andexternallybetweenthecountycouncilandexternalagencies,andstakeholders.Thedifferentprojectsandinitiativesdedicatedaconsiderableamountofresourcestocommunications,awareness-raisingactions,andinformationdissemination.Theseactionsgreatlybenefitedthedevelopmentofthesectorbybuildingstronglocalpartnerships.
mobILISATIon And CommITmEnT of STAkEhoLdErS
InDonegalthedevelopmentofthesectorwasasaresultofhigh-levelofficials/executiveswithintherelevantstakeholdersagenciesbuyingintotheconceptofworkingwithintheCDBprocessfromanearlystage.TheenthusiasmanddedicationofpublicandprivatestakeholderstotheCDBprocess,contributedgreatlytothesuccessfuldevelopmentofthevariouselementsofthegreeneconomysectorinthecounty.Inadditiontothecommitmenttotheprocess,‘renewableenergychampions’emergedfromtheCDBprocess,championingthesectoratstrategicpolicyandoperationalgrassrootslevels.
STruCTurES for ACTIon
TheCDBGreenEconomyForumandtheInterAgencyEnergyGrouparerecognisedasformaldevelopmentstructuresinthecountyandamechanismtodeliverandassessprogressoftheagreedactions.TheC&EDivisionofDonegalCountyCouncilisresponsibleforco-ordinatingtheimplementationandmonitoringofthecountystrategy,therebyestablishingclearlinesofresponsibilityfordeliveryofgoals.
16DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.17
dEdICATEd rESourCES And ExPErTISE
TheC&EDivisionprovidesfacilitativesupportandleadershiptothegreeneconomyforum.AC&EOfficerisresponsibleformonitoringthedeliveryoftheobjectivesassetoutunderthecountystrategy.Therelevantpartnersprovidesbenefit-in-kind(includingadministration,trainingrooms,etc)togetherwithspecialistexpertise.
3 Transferring Good Practice
1.1 Tables of Contacts
CounCIL
Name Title Department Role
MrMichealOhEanaigh
DirectorofCommunityCulture&Planning
CommunityCulture&Planning
StrategicManagementofDonegalCountyDevelopmentBoard
MrCharlesSweeney
Administrative&DevelopmentOfficer
Community&Enterprise
ImplementationofGreenEconomyWorkProgramme
MsMariaFerguson
StrategicPolicyManager
Community&Enterprise
ImplementationofCDBWorkProgrammes
MrBrianBoyle
HeadofI.S. I.S. StrategicManagementofI.S.Dept&ICTprogramme
MrDaraghMcDonough
ProjectLeader I.S. ManagementofGISSpatialProgramme
MsSiobhanFoy
ProjectLeader I.S. ManagementofSoftwareDevelopment&Analysispro-gramme
MrGeoffreyBrowne
ProjectLeader I.S. ManagementandDevelopmentofICTNetworks
MrSeanDunnion
ProjectLeader I.S. ManagementISOperations
MrPaulEarley
ProjectLeader I.S. Management&DevelopmentofkeyCountyWebsites
18DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.19
mEmbErS of donEGAL CounTy dEvELoPmEnT boArd
MrSeamusNeely CountyManager,DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrCoraHarvey Mayor,DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrCiaranBrogan DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrDessieLarkin DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrPadraigMacLochlainn DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrNoelMcBride DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrThomasPringle DonegalCountyCouncil
CllrDavidAlcorn DonegalCountyCouncil
MsUnaCronin EnvironmentalPillar
MrFrankDillon DeptofSocialandFamilyAffairs
MrJohnHayes LocalHealthManager,HSE
MrDiarmaidÓMórdha AnRoinnGnóthaíPobail,TuaitheagusGaeltachta
MsJoanCrawford FailteIrelandNorthWest
MsMaryO’Malley FAS
MrJoeMcHugh RegionalManager,I.D.A.
MrOwenDoyle BIM
MrFrankFox NorthWesternRegionalOffice,DeptofEducation&Science
MrMartinGormley ChairpersonDonegalChildcareCommittee
MrPaulHannigan Director,LYIT
MrPaddyHarte InternationalFundforIreland
MrMartinHenry Teagasc
MrSeamusHughes ZEUS
MsMaryAnnKane CountyDonegalVEC
MsPaulaLeonard CountyCommunityForum
MrSeamusMacSuibhne MeithealForbathanaGaeltachtaTeo
MrJohnMcCarter DonegalCountyEnterpriseFund
MsShaunaMcClenaghan Manager,IDP
MsTerryMcGinn GardaSiochána
MsMaryMcGowan DonegalSouthForumArea
MrMuraMcLaughlin InishowenCommunityForum
CllrMichaelMcMahon BundoranTownCouncil
MsMéabhNíChonnacháin RegionalExecutiveEnterpriseIreland
MrSeanOGallachoir DevelopmentExecutive,UdarasnaGaeltachta
MrJamesO’Donnell ICMSA
MrSeamusRodgers ArdnaMara
MrPaulSkinnader Pobal
MrJimSlevin Chairperson,D.L.D.C
CllrPhonsieTravers BallyshannonTownCouncil
MrMichaelTunney DonegalCountyEnterpriseBoard
MsNóirínUíMhaoldhomhnaigh
Leaschathaoirleach
MrAndrewWard IDP
MsPaulineWhite WesternDevelopmentCommission
4 Glossary
ACronymS
CDB–CountyDevelopmentBoardEU–EuropeanUnionNI–NorthernIrelandHECTAC–LYIT–LetterkennyInstituteofTechnologyBZEE–GermanEducationCentreforRenewableEnergiesFETAC–FurtherEducationandTrainingAwardsCouncilSEI–SustainableEnergyIrelandC&E–CommunityandEnterpriseCOFORD–ProgrammeofCompetitiveForestResearchforDevelopmentCAP–CommonAgriculturalPolicyWTO–WorldTradeOrganisationSRF–ShortRotationForestryDCDB–DonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardBWE–GermanWindEnergyAssociationIHK–GermanChamberofIndustryandCommerceSEAI–SustainableEnergyAuthorityofIrelandICT–Information&CommunicationTechnologiesGIS–GeographicInformationSystemsIS–InformationSystems
DonegalCountyCouncilWebsite
20DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.
DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.21
DonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardWebsite
TheInterregionalCooperationProgrammeINTERREGIVC,financedbytheEuropeanUnion’sRegionalDevelopmentFund,helpsRegionsofEuropeworktogethertoshareexperienceandgoodpracticeintheareasofinnovation,theknowledgeeconomy,theenvironmentandriskprevention.EUR302millionisavailableforprojectfundingbut,morethanthat,awealthofknowledgeandpotentialsolutionsarealsoonhandforregionalpolicy-makers.
TheCO2Freeprojectisco-financedby:
CO2Free–Cooperating2FosterRenewablesandEnergyEfficiency.www.co2free-project.eu