Island facts
Bere Island is on the Southwest coast of Ireland in Bantry Bay. It has a population of 190 people and in the summertime, it reaches over 2,000. The main economic activities are farming, fishing, tourism, and the commercial marine industry.
Is Bere Island interconnected to the mainland?
Bere Island receives the majority of its energy from the national grid through a subsea cable from the mainland. Some houses already use renewable energy like windmills and PV solar panels to generate electricity. The island is served by two ferries all year round, but many people use their own boats as we have a very sheltered harbour. On the island, people use private cars or the community bus. The majority of houses are heated with oil and coal, while some are now using heat pumps.
The journey to clean energy
Bere Island has an energy group that is working with the sustainable energy authority of Ireland to produce an energy master plan that will guide the islanders on their journey.