Aran Islands Take Action Towards Energy Independence

The Aran Islands are taking significant action to become energy independent with almost two thirds of Islanders already upgradeding their homes to reduce energy needs.

Alex White TD, Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources visited Inis Mór to see progress to date on several energy projects. The island community has partnered with the Sustainable EnergyAuthority of Ireland (SEAI) to deliver a range of community-led action and supporting analysis by SEAI has verified that the goal of carbon neutrality by 2022 is entirely achievable.Three hundred and fifty three homes and community buildings,representing two-thirds of buildings on the Islands,have completed energy upgrades with support from SEAI, improving insulation levels and installing efficient heating systems. This should result in more comfortable homes and lower energy bills with annual energy savings of €250,000 for the Islanders. A trial of Electric Vehicles in partnership between the community and SEAI also demonstrated how transport fuel needs can be dramatically reduced. Analysis shows that energy imports could be reduced even further by replacing Aran Islands heating systems with heat pumps powered by wind or wave energy in the future.

Commenting during his visit,Minister White said: “The Aran Islanders’ ambition to become carbon neutral has already delivered many benefits to the islands. Energy efficiency and renewables will be at the core of the energy White Paper, which I will publish in the autumn. I think the vision set out for the Aran Islands could be replicated to maximise energy efficiency and the use of renewables in communities across the country.
This would help us to secure an affordable, low-carbon energy future with minimal reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels.”The identified actions of energy upgrades and greater use of renewable energy will reduce fossil fuel imports to the Islands by 84%,and exports of locally produced electricity will complete the journey to total energy independence.