Bunratty SEC Map

Bunratty Sustainable Energy Community

CCEA are delighted to work with the Bunratty SEC to create the Energy Master Plan for the community

  • A Solar PV Information evening was held on 2026-03-10 to support a local group interested in getting Solar PV for their homes/farms/businesses

Community Energy Data

Based on Census 2022 and SEAI Building Energy Rating data (BER data updated 20 Jan 2026)

Population
553
Homes
232
Vacancy Rate
14.2%
18 holiday · 15 vacant
BER Coverage
49.7%
Avg BER Rating
C1
Motor Cars
283
total (est.)
Baseline Energy Usage — MWh/year, apportioned from national SEI06 2024
Sector Electricity (MWh) Fossil Fuel (MWh) Renewable (MWh) Total (MWh)
Residential 848 2,118 143 3,109
Community See Audits Not yet calculated
Transport 50 3,140 274 3,464
Population used: 553 of 5,458,600 national (0.010%) — calculated 15 May 2026
Baseline Emissions & Cost — per year
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Transport Total
CO2 (tCO2e) 190.1 544.4 — 768.0 1,502.5
Total Cost €342,887 €364,370 €14,612 €625,928 €1,347,797

Energy per Sector (MWh/yr)

Cost per Sector (€/yr)

Emissions per Sector (tCO2e/yr)

Residential Community Transport
Age of Homes — Census 2022, permanent private households
Houses by Age Group
Pre 1971 1971–1996 After 1997 Not stated
The largest age cohort is After 1997 homes at 43% of the housing stock. 12% of homes predate 1971, likely to have cavity-free solid-wall construction and low levels of insulation — the highest retrofit potential in the SEC. 43% were built after 1997 when Ireland's Building Regulations (Part L) introduced mandatory energy efficiency requirements, with further tightening in 2006 and 2011. The 1971–1996 cohort (42%) represents mid-vintage stock, often partially retrofitted but generally below current insulation standards.
House Age and BER Coverage
The 2001–10 period accounts for the largest share of homes (29% of total). The greatest retrofit opportunity is the 1971–80 band — 37 homes without a BER, older construction with typically low energy performance. The 1981–90 band also stands out with 37 unassessed homes (construction that often predates modern insulation standards). BER coverage is strongest for 2001–10 homes (97%).
Housing Tenure — Census 2022 vs Co. Clare
Owner-occupied homes account for 69% of SEC households, broadly in line with the Co. Clare average of 72%. Private rental is higher in the SEC (25%) than across the county (14%). Retrofitting privately rented homes is challenging — landlords bear the upfront cost while tenants receive the benefit in lower bills, a split-incentive that current grant schemes do not fully address.
BER Ratings — % of assessed homes vs Co. Clare (2025)
The SEC's energy profile lags the county average: 38% of assessed homes are A or B rated, compared to 54% countywide (2025). The SEC has proportionally more C-rated homes than the county (47.2% vs 24.0%). Conversely, F-G-rated homes are under-represented in the SEC (1.4% vs 7.5% countywide). The SEC has fewer D–G rated homes (15%) than the county average (22%), suggesting retrofit activity here has been above average.
Small Areas (SAs)
Type Code Name %
SA A037053003/01 Small area which is the core 100%
SA A037053003/02/A037053002 100%
CSO Tables Consulted
Table Level Description
SAP2022T15T1SA SA Number of homes with 0,1,2,3,4 or more cars
SAP2022T1T1ASA SA Population , breakdown by sex
SAP2022T2T1SA SA Population data, breakdown by country of origin
SAP2022T6T2SA SA Housing number by age, divided into different age-bands
SAP2022T6T3SA SA Type of occupancy, e,g, ower, renter etc.
SAP2022T6T5SA SA Central heating Type
SAP2022T6T8SA SA Occupancy on Census night, i.e. number of houses vacant, holiday homes, occupied by usual residents, occupied by visitors, temporarily absent