On Friday, 9 May, Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine visited Letterkenny Institute of Technology’s Killybegs Campus.  The purpose of the visit was to announce a number of major developments for the campus and Killybegs Harbour.  The Minister, in acknowledging the work done by the High Level Group he set up in 2011 to develop Killybegs Harbour and Region, praised the work of the County Manager, Seamus Neely, President of LYIT, Paul Hannigan, and Sean O’Donoghue, Chief Executive of the KFO (Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation) for the work and effort of their respective organisations to make the announcements a reality.

The Minister recognised the public private partnerships that had been developed to enhance the wind safety programmes that have been delivered and accredited by RenewableUK (RUK) and the Global Wind Organisation (GWO).  In this respect, he praised the collaboration and work with Safety Technology Ltd from Wales as a strategic partner in the delivery of RUK and GWO approved Working at Heights, First Aid, Manual Handling and Fire Awareness programmes, for both LYIT students and the wind industry.  The LYIT Wind Energy Centre is the only one in Ireland with this level of accreditation.  The Minister suggested that the model being rolled out by LYIT, Donegal County Council, and industry was one that he would like to see replicated in other regions.

Last year, LYIT and Safety Technology Ltd entered into a strategic agreement to work together to supply RUK and GWO approved wind safety training from the Wind Energy Centre in Killybegs.  Safety Technology is a leading supplier of safety and rescue equipment, training, and health and safety guidance for individuals working in the renewables, utilities and telecom sectors.  As a RUK and GWO approved training provider, they offer an extensive range of industry required safety courses to the wind energy sector, both onshore and offshore, with approved training centres in South Wales, North Wales, South Shields, Grimsby, North Germany, and Michigan, USA.

The LYIT Wind Energy Centre at Killybegs was audited and approved on 15 April by RUK and, as a result, LYIT is the only location in Ireland with the required technology and expertise to deliver RUK/GWO approved safety training courses and technology modules from their Wind Energy programme to both students and industry partners.  Minister Coveney accepted, on behalf of LYIT, the certificate of approval from RenewableUK and the Global Wind Organisation from Bob Dickens, Managing Director of Safety Technology Ltd.

The Ireland Biomass Initiative announced by Minister Coveney will make a significant contribution to the supply chain for biomass in the region.  It will facilitate the growth of the sector and will further enhance the security of supply of another renewable source of heat for Ireland.  The additional supply will allow the domestic biomass sector ramp up and at the same time allow industry and commercial users invest in biomass heating and power systems in the knowledge that there is a viable, affordable supply chain for woodchips coming into the country through the gateway that is Killybegs Harbour.  Stephen Chute, representing Phyto-Charter, a Maine based partnership which includes the Eastport Port Authority, Ishofn Ltd and EJ Carrier Ltd, praised the work of the Donegal trade mission which visited Maine last November making the introductions that made this initiative a reality.

Killybegs Harbour is the port of choice for Phyto-Charter to enter the biomass supply chain for the Irish and UK markets.  This is extremely significant, both in terms of the renewables heat and electricity objectives set out by EU 2020 objectives, and also the potential for job creation in the region.  John Boyle, Killybegs Stevedores, the Donegal partner, estimates that this project will create 18 jobs in the port and a further 20 jobs in transport of the wood chip from the port to the clients.  The economic multiplier effect from this project will be significant; it will benefit hotels, B&Bs, fuel suppliers, and the general economy.

Caption: Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, announcing the Ireland Biomass Initiative at the Killybegs Campus, LYIT.
Caption: Minister Coveney receiving the RenewableUK – Global Wind Organisation approved training centre certificate on behalf of LYIT from Bob Dickens, MD Safety Technology Ltd, UK.  Also in the photo are Dr John Doran, LYIT; Joe Mc Hugh, TD; Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT; Seamus Neeley, County Manager, Donegal County Council; Dinny Mc Ginley, TD, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs; and Dr Seán Duffy, Head of School of Tourism, LYIT.
Caption: Minister Coveney congratulating John Boyle of Killybegs Stevedores and wishing him every success in the Ireland Biomass Initiative.  Also in the picture are Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT; Stephean Chute, Phtyo-Charter Ltd, Maine, USA; Manus Boyle, Killybegs Stevedores; Michael Boyle, Killybegs Stevedores; Seamus Neeley, County Manager, Donegal County Council; Dr John Doran, LYIT; and Larry Carrier, Phyto-Charter Ltd, Maine USA.
[Photos by JMac Photography]