Lough Ree Bioeconomy Hub Feasibility Report

FDT part of the NIRAS group recently completed a feasibility study for the Lough Ree region, which was part funded by Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications from the Just Transition Fund.

This study was wide-ranging and ran over approximately three years, during which time we spoke to many stakeholders in the region and looked at what potential economic endeavours could be feasible.

A huge number of topics were discussed over the full lifetime of the work, and the final report focuses on hydrogen, hemp, insect protein, and willow, providing insights and making recommendations with respect to each of these topics.

We are making the report available on our website and it can be downloaded at this link - https://lnkd.in/eYe-tyrf

We hope to set up webinars in the coming months to cover the contents of the report and get feedback from the wider engineering and bioeconomy communities, as well as local stakeholders.

Our deepest thanks go to the dedicated FDT Staff, particularly Jerry Cronin CEng MIEI MIBD, Sinead Feeney, BE MSc PMP, Valentin Ioan Dascalescu, Aoife Hamill along with Rory Monaghan and Cian Moran from National University of Ireland Galway, for their technical expertise and guidance throughout the project.

We would like to acknowledge Peter Maagøe Petersen and Christine Wennerberg from Viegand Maagøe, Irene C. Nantongo, the Ballyleague Lanesboro Collaboration Group (particularly Joe O'Brien), and Longford County Council for their collaborative efforts and invaluable insights.

Special appreciation is extended to our industry partners and stakeholders, including Irish Energy Storage Association, Bord na Móna, ESB, Just Transition Commissioner, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Coillte, Teagasc, Energia, SSE Renewables, Keelin O'Brien, BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CIRCBIO), Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, Technological University Dublin, Highview Power, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Bord Iascaigh Mhara - Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, James Atkinson, @AIT, Paul MacArtain, Kenny McCauley, The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), Denis Naughten TD and MaREI