Views from the islands: From Challenges to Change on the Aran Islands

In this video, Avril Ní Shearcaigh, manager of the Aran Islands Energy Cooperative, discusses the cooperative’s journey since its establishment in 2012. The cooperative aims to address the energy and climate challenges of the Iron Islands while seizing the opportunities these challenges present. Avril highlights the cooperative’s efforts to create a community-owned energy generation plant, initially focusing on wind turbines but later shifting to solar projects due to environmental constraints. She emphasises the importance of balancing energy generation with the conservation of the islands’ unique landscape and biodiversity. The cooperative’s initiatives not only aim to reduce reliance on tourism but also to create sustainable employment, preserve local culture and heritage, and empower the community.