The Aran Islands as lighthouses for energy transition

Mar 24, 2025Clean Energy, Inspiring initiative, Ireland

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Irish energy cooperative wishes the Aran Islands to be lighthouses for energy transition

Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teoranta (CFOAT or Aran Islands Energy Co-Op) is a community based, non-profit energy cooperative representing the three Aran Islands, located off the west coast of Ireland. The residents of the three islands aim to become self-sufficient in locally generated renewable energy and free of dependence on oil, coal and gas. They focus on heating, transport and energy generation. CFOAT wishes for the Aran Islands to be considered ‘Lighthouses for the Energy Transition’.

Local empowerment
CFOAT is a bottom-up initiative where citizens in the local community take power into their own hands. Energy – wind, wave and light – is available to them locally and when they harness it for their own community needs, power reverts to the locality and is taken away from the big corporations. In the process, they create sustainable communities, clean up the planet and stem climate change. Moving beyond its focus on locality, the initiative collaborates with Galway-based universities and participates in a number of EU funded projects with international partners.

Serving island communities
The Aran Island communities face low employment and education opportunities; diminishing populations; and less connectivity and access to services. Addressing these issues, the CFOAT serves elderly people, young people, as well as rural and marginalised communities living on the islands.