Energy Infrastructure

Quality energy infrastructure is essential to the economic growth and development of the Western Region. It is particularly important for the development of renewable energy enterprises which are plentiful in the West. The WDC highlights infrastructural, policy and regulatory issues as they affect energy infrastructure.

Gas

In recent years the natural gas network has expanded significantly throughout Ireland but the North West remains without natural access to gas infrastructure. The WDC believes that natural gas infrastructure would contribute to the development of the region and has a role to play in the support of renewable generation.
The WDC’s most recent work on gas was a detailed comment on the Feasibility Study of Gas to the North West commissioned by the Department of Energy (DCENR) which examined the feasibility, costs and benefits of extending a natural gas pipeline from the Mayo-Galway Pipeline to Sligo (via three different routes) and on to Donegal town. The WDC’s observations were forwarded to the Department and the WDC has continued to make the case for this investment throughout 2008. You can download the WDC’s work on gas here.

Electricity

A high-quality, reliable electricity infrastructure is essential to retain and attract enterprises to the Western Region and indispensable for the facilitation of transmission of electricity generated by renewable sources. The region is expected to have more than 40% of Ireland’s renewable generation capacity by 2025. The WDC therefore continues to highlight electricity infrastructural and regulatory issues as they affect the Western Region.