CFOAT (Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teoranta) is a community owned energy cooperative with the main aim to reduce and gradually remove the dependency of the Aran Islands communities on fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal, including transport) by replacing them with alternative and more sustainable sources of energy. In details the energy master plan foresees:

• On the heating front, houses will be provided of external wall insulation and heat pumps for hot water and heating;
• On the transport front, several EVs models populate the islands;
• Regarding energy generation, there are approximately 50 houses (10%) fitted with air to water heat pumps, and with 2 kW of photovoltaic panels installed on their roofs. There are also approximately 10 homes with geothermal heating and 100 houses with solar hot water panels. Battery storage has also been introduced on a few buildings. It is also planned the construction of a wind turbine for Árainn (Inis Mór). Research studies are now finding other opportunities (e.g. hydrogen fuel) for the achievement of the goals.

Only residents and businesses located on the Aran Islands can become full members with voting rights. Membership is for life with the purchase of €100 shares. Main actors involved in this project are: -Renergia Ltd in conjunction with Plan Energy Consulting Ltd were commissioned by CFOAT in support of Energy Co-Ops to develop an Energy Master Plan (EMP); -ESB network provided electricity consumption data for a year’s period (30 April 2017 – 29 April 2018), useful for the EMP; -Lasta Mara, a Galway based fuel cargo company, provided records of solid fuels, gas and oil imported to the Islands; -SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) supported the development and the operation of the community.