It’s been claimed that offshore islands like Tory and Arranmore could be entirely powered by wind and wave energy in the future.
The government is to fund a feasibility study to investigate whether electricity, heat and transport needs can be supplied by renewable energy.
A 12-month pilot project, which is jointly commissioned by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Sustainable Energy Ireland, is to focus on Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr in the Aran Islands.
The initiative will also investigate how the technologies may be extended to other offshore islands.
The government-commissioned study will review current energy usage on the Aran Islands and estimate the accessible wind, wave and tidal resources.
It will also look at developing potential models of wind and ocean energy to produce green power at minimal cost.
The employment opportunities of each model and how they could be replicated to other offshore islands like Arranmore and Tory Island will also be studied.