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2007
Communities and Renewable Energy – A Guide
This guide is for communities considering participating in a renewable energy project. It offers direction to communities looking at investing in or setting up a renewable energy project. The guide also offers private developers an insight into obtaining local community support for establishing a project, and policy makers will find this guide useful for identifying what is needed to encourage community involvement in the sector. The guide is based on a case study of a wind energy project in Co. Mayo. This project was a follow-on action from the publication of To Catch the Wind (2004).
WDC Briefing Note: Demographic and Socio-economic Trends in the Western Region: WDC Analysis of Census 2006
In this paper the WDC analyses data from the Census of Population 2006 to compile a profile of the Western Region focusing on: demography (population numbers and distribution, gender, age, household characteristics and migration); labour force and employment (industrial and occupational profile); educational attainment; and travel to work patterns.
Gas for ‘Ineligible’ Towns: A review of the options
Gas Connections Policy changed in 2006 to revise the conditions under which towns could be considered eligible to connect to the natural gas grid. Towns seeking connection to the gas grid were reviewed and assessed as ‘economic’ (where connections would be allowed as they show positive returns either individually or as part of a group) or ‘uneconomic’ or ‘ineligible’ to be connected. The focus of this study is on the options for ‘ineligible’ towns to obtain a gas connection.
Report on Fuel Cost Analysis
As part of its work in highlighting the importance for towns in the Western Region of accessing natural gas, the WDC commissioned Enercomm International to undertake this analysis. The report examines the relative fuel costs for space heating, hot water and cooking as they apply to domestic households and commercial enterprises. In addition, the study examines relative fuel costs for process heating, space heating, hot water and cooking for an industrial enterprise.
Indicators, Balanced Regional Development and the National Development Plan 2007-2013
Regionally balanced development is a key national policy objective and the WDC believes there is a need to measure performance in this regard. This paper sets out that case and proposes a set of indicators which aim to measure progress towards achieving balanced regional development. The selected indicators fall under six domains: demographic; labour market; economic structure and performance; education; income and poverty; and innovation and technology.
Rural Businesses at Work: Case Studies of Rural Enterprises in the Western Region
The Western Region is a predominantly rural region, yet relatively little is known about the dynamics of the non-farm rural economy or the rural enterprises contributing to it. Rural Businesses at Work contains an overview of the context for rural enterprises and presents case studies of ten enterprises operating in rural areas of the Western Region. The case studies explore why the business is in a rural location, the effect of its location on operations and the business’ impact on its locality. Key issues and themes from the ten case studies are then drawn out.
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Western Development Commission official Languages Scheme Final English 2007 – 2010
Scéim Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair 2007 – 2010
Wood Energy Development in Western Region
This research report is a baseline study on the potential of wood energy in the Western Region. It reviews issues associated with wood energy deployment and its potential in the region including fuel resource, market opportunities and barriers to development. This report marked the completion of a phase of research and consultation by the WDC. This research was used as part of the knowledge base for the design of the Wood Energy Strategy.
