Over 60% of the buildings on the Aran Islands in Ireland are now energy efficient.

353 homes and community buildings, representing two-thirds of buildings on the Islands, have completed energy upgrades with support from the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI).

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 visit image 3heating systems with heat pumps powered by wind or wave energy in the future.

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Energy Minister Alex 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."

Brian Motherway, CEO of SEAI, who also visited the islands said: "Communities working together is the most effective way to bring about meaningful and lasting change. The Aran Islands are leading the way to show how communities can stop wasting money on imported fossil fuel and become truly sustainable and self-reliant. This also brings immediate benefits in terms of quality of life and lower energy bills."

(CD/MH)