RSS
2008
Wood Energy Strategy Summary
This report presents a Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan for the Western Region. The WDC supported by the Regional Wood Energy Advisory Group commissioned this market research and lead on the development of the strategy and action plan based on a process of industry consultation. The report assesses the potential wood fuel resource, analyses the market opportunities in the region, estimates regional targets and presents the actions required to achieve the potential growth rate. It also examines the economic impact of the growth of the wood energy market.
Wood Energy Summary Appendix
The appendix to the Wood Energy Strategy includes a map of the private forestry resource of the Western Region and individual county maps of the private forestry resource for counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Galway and Clare. The maps were compiled by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Wood Energy and Community Enterprise A Guide
This guide reviews the opportunities for community-based enterprise in the wood energy sector. The guide is based on the information gathered during a joint project of the WDC and Údarás na Gaeltachta. This project report offers practical information on the wood fuel supply chain and includes three project examples. The following issues are looked at: potential markets; technology involved; cost structure of the wood fuel supply chain; and key questions to ask if your community what to get involved in the sector. This project was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.
Wood Energy and Local Authorities Donegal Case Study
This project report documents the experience of the Community & Enterprise Division of Donegal County Council, working in the context of the County Development Board, to support the growth of the local wood energy sector. The project assessed the potential benefits and outcomes from local authority involvement in the wood energy sector, and informs on the role of local authorities in supporting growth of this market. This project was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.
Biomass CHP Market Potential in the Western Region an Assessment
This report presents an analysis of the market potential for biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in the Western Region, and outlines the potential economic and social benefits that could be derived from development of the sector. This research provides the public and private sectors with practical CHP market information, and the following issues are reviewed: technology assessment; market profile; factors impacting development; and potential benefits of market growth. This research was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.
Wood Energy Strategy Full Version
This report presents the background information and detailed analysis on which the Wood Energy Strategy Summary was based. The report presents additional information on the various sections of the Summary including market prospects, resource assessment, scenarios and targets, barriers to development, and recommended actions under the strategy.
Economic Impact of Regional Wood Energy Strategy
This report sets out the economic impact of the growth of the wood energy sector as presented in the Wood Energy Strategy Summary. The reports includes the background analysis for the economic factors assessed including: gross value added per annum; employment effects (both construction and wood fuel effects); value of carbon offset and its contribution to national climate change targets; other economic effects deemed significant.
Wood Energy Community Enterprise Models Full Version
This report is the detailed project report on which Wood Energy and Community Enterprise A Guide was based. The full project report outlines background analysis e.g. results of surveys, together with additional information on wood energy supply chains and project examples.
Delivering Balanced Regional Development: Conference Proceedings
Balanced regional development is a key objective in the NDP 2007-2013. A critical issue is the role of public investment in facilitating regions to achieve their full potential. The WDC therefore felt it was opportune to provide a forum in which the policy issues involved in balanced regional development could be discussed and debated. The proceedings of the WDC conference, held on 23 May 2008, are given below.
Session 1: The Challenge of Achieving Balanced Regional Development
Key Note Speakers:
Prof. Neil Ward – Balanced Regional Development – Issues and Insights Download PDF (0.8Mb)
Ms. Julie O’Neill – BRD and Investment in Transport Infrastructure Download PDF (0.1Mb)
Dr. Patricia O’Hara (WDC) The Regional Development Challenge Download PDF (0.2Mb)
Discussants:
Dr. Edgar Morgenroth Download PDF (1.6Mb)
Session 2 How can Public Policy deliver for Rural Regions?
Key Note Speakers:
Prof. Gerry Boyle – Public Investment in Regions and BRD Download PDF (0.7Mb)
Prof. Michael Keane – Beyond Gateways: Towns and Regional Development Download PDF (0.2Mb)
Spatial Perspectives:
Mr. Mark Griffin - Delivering Spatial Development Download PDF (0.5Mb)
Mr. Dermot O’Doherty – Cross Border Development in an All Island Context Download PDF (0.7Mb)
The Western Region: Key Statistics
The Western Region: Key Statistics provides a brief social and economic profile of the Western Region including data on population, employment, education, income, enterprise, economic sectors and infrastructure. These data illustrate the current situation in the region, relative to the national experience, as well as the changing trends in the areas covered.
Download Full PDF (6.8Mb) or download each section separately:
People and Places: Download Section 1 (1.1Mb)
People and Work: Download Section 2 (1.4Mb)
Education: Download Section 3 (0.8Mb)
Output and Income: Download Section 4 (0.5Mb)
Enterprise and Employment: Download Section 5 (1.1Mb)
Tourism and Natural Resources: Download Section 6 (0.6Mb)
Infrastructure: Download Section 7 (2.2Mb)
WDC Briefing Note: Employment and Unemployment in the Western Region 2000-2008
This briefing note examines the main trends in employment in the Western Region over the 2000-2008 period, including trends by sector and their gender implications. There is a particular focus on the most recent period in order to examine the impact of the current economic downturn on unemployment in the region.
