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.



• 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

8NorthKareliaClimateandEnergyProgramme20208DevelopmentoftheGreenEconomyinCountyDonegal.April2011.


• 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



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.



• 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.



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.



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



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



DonegalCountyDevelopmentBoardWebsite

TheInterregionalCooperationProgrammeINTERREGIVC,financedbytheEuropeanUnion’sRegionalDevelopmentFund,helpsRegionsofEuropeworktogethertoshareexperienceandgoodpracticeintheareasofinnovation,theknowledgeeconomy,theenvironmentandriskprevention.EUR302millionisavailableforprojectfundingbut,morethanthat,awealthofknowledgeandpotentialsolutionsarealsoonhandforregionalpolicy-makers.

TheCO2Freeprojectisco-financedby:

CO2Free–Cooperating2FosterRenewablesandEnergyEfficiency.www.co2free-project.eu

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Development of the Green Economy in County Donegal · As a result, the local production of biofuel...

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