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 6 Oct 2026)

Population
553
Homes
232
Vacancy Rate
14.2%
18 holiday · 15 vacant
BER Coverage
53.5%
Median BER Rating
C
mean 146 kWh/m²/yr
Motor Cars
314
2025 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
Total (excl. Community) 898 5,259 417 6,573
Population used: 553 of 5,458,600 national (0.010%) — calculated 15 May 2026
Baseline Emissions & Cost — per year, Apr–Sep 2026 prices
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Transport Total
CO2 (tCO2e) 190.1 544.4 — 762.7 1,497.2
Total Cost €308,785 €306,325 €14,726 €688,513 €1,318,349
Transport Energy, Emissions & Cost — private cars, per year
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Total
Energy (MWh) 50 3,140 274 3,464
CO2 (tCO2e) 11.1 751.6 — 762.7
Total Cost €13,557 €620,794 €54,162 €688,513

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 — 39 homes without a BER, older construction with typically low energy performance. The 1981–90 band also stands out with 38 unassessed homes (construction that often predates modern insulation standards). BER coverage is strongest for 2001–10 homes (95%).
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 homes with a BER vs Co. Clare and Ireland
Homes with a BER by rating group
A0–B C–D E–G
In the SEC, 45% of homes with a BER are rated B or better, against 30% in Co. Clare. A0 is the most over-represented band, at 17% versus 5% in the county, and G is the most under-represented, at 1% versus 11%. The D–G bands account for 12% of homes with a BER, against 38% in the county. Nationally, 37% are rated B or better, so the SEC is above Ireland, and its D–G share is below the national 32%. With 166 of the SEC's 310 homes holding a BER (54%) and data for both Small Areas, confidence is high, though BERs over-represent homes recently sold, let, built or upgraded with a grant. BER ratings are the yardstick by which progress under the Climate Action Plan is measured, and one national goal is to bring 500,000 homes (about 25%) to B or better by 2030. In the SEC, 45% of homes with a BER are in the A0–B group, 49% in C–D and 6% in E–G. C–D homes are closest to the target and would generally need fewer measures to reach a B. The E–G group offers the greatest energy, cost and emissions savings per home, and the SEC's 6% share is well below the county's 25% and Ireland's 21%. Open chimneys appear in 60% of homes with a BER, against 46% in the county, and addressing them reduces heat loss and draughts. Main heating efficiency is rated poor in 33% of homes with a BER, against 15% in the county, making heating upgrades a likely project focus.
Cars per Household — Census 2022, scaled × 1.109 to 2025
% of households, Census 2022. Pie chart counts are scaled to 2025; percentages are unchanged by scaling.
Households in the SEC have an average of 1.65 cars, above the national average of 1.43 (Co. Clare: 1.55). Only 9% of households have no car, compared with 14% for the national average — a sign of high car dependence, typical of rural areas with limited public transport. 57% of households run two or more cars (vs 45%). Second cars often cover shorter, predictable trips, making them strong candidates for replacement with an EV, shared transport or active travel.
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