Quin Abbey

Quin Sustainable Energy Community

CCEA are delighted to work with the Quin SEC to create the SEAI funded Energy Master Plan

Community Energy Data

Based on Census 2022 and SEAI Building Energy Rating data (BER data updated 6 Oct 2026)

Population
1,293
Homes
492
Vacancy Rate
6.1%
6 holiday · 24 vacant
BER Coverage
61.1%
Median BER Rating
C
mean 153 kWh/m²/yr
Motor Cars
847
2025 est.
Baseline Energy Usage — MWh/year, apportioned from national SEI06 2024
Sector Electricity (MWh) Fossil Fuel (MWh) Renewable (MWh) Total (MWh)
Residential 1,983 4,953 333 7,270
Community See Audits Not yet calculated
Transport 134 8,470 739 9,343
Total (excl. Community) 2,117 13,423 1,072 16,613
Population used: 1,293 of 5,458,600 national (0.024%) — calculated 15 May 2026
Baseline Emissions & Cost — per year, Apr–Sep 2026 prices
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Transport Total
CO2 (tCO2e) 444.4 1,273.0 — 2,057.3 3,774.7
Total Cost €721,990 €716,234 €34,434 €1,857,231 €3,329,889
Transport Energy, Emissions & Cost — private cars, per year
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Total
Energy (MWh) 134 8,470 739 9,343
CO2 (tCO2e) 30.0 2,027.3 — 2,057.3
Total Cost €36,574 €1,674,561 €146,096 €1,857,231

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 50% 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. 50% 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 (36%) 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 (42% of total). The greatest retrofit opportunity is the Pre-1919 band — 21 homes without a BER, older construction with typically low energy performance. The 1971–80 band also stands out with 38 unassessed homes (older construction with typically low energy performance). BER coverage is strongest for Post-2010 homes (162%).
Housing Tenure — Census 2022 vs Co. Clare
Owner-occupied homes make up 78% of SEC households versus 72% across Co. Clare. This higher ownership rate is positive for retrofit uptake — owner-occupiers have a direct financial incentive to invest in upgrades that landlords currently lack.
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, 49% of homes with a BER are rated B or better, against 30% in Co. Clare. The A band is most over-represented (18% versus 8% in the county) and the D band most under-represented (6% versus 14%). Homes rated D to G make up 15% of homes with a BER, against 38% in the county. Nationally, 37% are rated B or better and 32% D to G, so the SEC is above Ireland on the first and below on the second. With 61% of the SEC's homes (345 of 565) having a BER and data for all five Small Areas, confidence is high, though BERs over-represent homes recently sold, let, built or upgraded with a grant. BER ratings are the yardstick for progress under the Climate Action Plan, which aims to bring 500,000 homes (about 25%) to B or better by 2030. In the SEC, 49% of homes with a BER are in the A0–B group, 41% in C–D and 9% in E–G. C–D homes are closest to the target and would generally need fewer measures to reach a B. E–G homes could offer the greatest energy, cost and emissions savings per home; the SEC's share is below the county (25%) and Ireland (21%). Oil heats 66% of homes with a BER (229 homes), against 54% in the county, making lower-carbon heating a key focus. Poor heating controls affect 51% (177 homes), close to the county's 53%, and upgrading them can accompany other measures.
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 1.76 cars, above the national average of 1.43 (Co. Clare: 1.55). Only 3% 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. 65% 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 A037134001 Quin village 100%
SA A037134002 Quin Gardens 100%
SA A037134004/01 NE of village 100%
SA A037134004/02 Ard na Mainistreach 100%
SA A037134005 SE of village 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