Clean energy for EU islands forum 2026

20 May 2026, 9:00 - 21 May 2026, 19:00 CEST

Island

Under the motto "Resilient islands, resilient Europe", the forum focused on the governance of the decarbonisation of EU islands and on aligning all stakeholders for a just energy transition. Firsthand testimonies from the transition teams of the 30for2030 islands provided key insights to empower the islands and their communities by aligning stakeholders’ views, priorities, and objectives. In doing so, the Forum demonstrated how building resilience at the island level strengthens Europe as a whole.

The three-year technical assistance provided to the 30for2030 islands, along with national-level regulatory reviews, has highlighted the complex governance of the energy transition on EU islands. The 2026 forum will emphasise experience-sharing among EU island communities and representatives from various levels of government and other stakeholders, highlighting achievements and identifying remaining gaps to ensure full decarbonisation.

Two site visits have taken place within the forum: Site Visit 1: Rifugio Climatico Son Oliva School & Site Visit 2: Green H2 production facility.

In addition to the regular forum activities, two capacity-building workshops were held in Mallorca on 19 and 22 May 2026, offering hands-on learning and practical insights for island energy stakeholders.

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EVENT LOCATION

The event took place at Casa Esment, which is located near Palma, Mallorca.

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REIMBURSEMENT

The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat offers travel grants for the least-resourced participants who wish to join us at the #CE4EUislands forum. Please find more information here.

Agenda & Slides

DAY 1 | 20 May 2026
Program details
2. 09:00 – 09:30 CEST
  
  Registration
4. 09:30 – 10:30 CEST
  
  Welcome and objectives setting
  
  Host: Jan Cornillie, CE4EUI secretariat Speakers: Rosalinde Van der Vlies, European Commission, Joan Groizard Payeras, State Secretary for Energy, Diego Víu Domínguez, Government of the Balearic Islands
  
  Welcoming of the participants from the Secretariat, DG ENER, and national & regional authorities
  
  02_DiegoViuDominguez_Balearic_Energy_Goverment.pdf
6. 10.30 – 10.45 CEST
  
  Keynote speech: Aligning all stakeholders for a just energy transition on islands
  
  Pau de Vilchez Moragues, Vice-Rector of International Relations, Solidarity and Global Justice, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)
8. 10:45 – 11:00 CEST
  
  Introduction to the programme of the two days
  
  Martina Cannata, Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E); Riccardo Novo, Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E)
10. 11:00 – 11:30 CEST
  
  Coffee Break and transfer to breakout sessions
12. 11:30 – 13:30 CEST
  
  Group session 1 - EU Stakeholder Groups Session
  
  Facilitators: 3E, UIB, Econoler, PoliTo, RdA, Th!nk E, DAFNI, INESC TEC, Island movement, Samsø Energy Academy, Údarás na Gaeltachta
  
  In this group session, participants will be grouped in four parallel working groups: 1. National and regional governments and regulators, 2. Local authorities, 3. System operators and technical experts, 4. Island communities
  
  Energy Communities Denmark Mallorca 2026_ Morten Mejsen Westerga.pdf
14. 13:30 – 14:30 CEST
  
  Lunch break
16. 14:30 – 14:45 CEST
  
  Introduction to the site visits
  
  Presentation of the site visits for the two days.
18. 14:45 – 18:00 CEST
  
  Site Visits
  
  Site Visit 1: Rifugio Climatico Son Oliva School | Site Visit 2: Green H2 production facility
20. 20:00 - 22:00 CEST
  
  Dinner
DAY 2 | 21 May 2026
Program details
2. 09:00 – 09:30 CEST
  
  Introduction to the day
  
  Martina Cannata, Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E), Riccardo Novo, Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E)
4. 09:30 – 11:00 CEST
  
  Breakout session #1 – Water-energy nexus: A holistic approach to water management
  
  Facilitators: DAFNI, PoliTo, Econoler, ProfB
  
  This breakout explores island water management and the water‑energy nexus, from reducing demand and alternative supply to incentives for efficient use, aligning local businesses, sectors and communities.
6. 09:30 – 11:00 CEST
  
  Breakout session #2 – Waste-energy nexus: A holistic approach to waste management
  
  Facilitators: DNV, RdA, 3E
  
  Using Lipari as a case study, this breakout explores island waste management and valorisation, from waste reduction and alternative strategies to incentives, with a focus on organic waste for clean energy and aligning local businesses and communities.
8. 09:30 – 11:00 CEST
  
  Breakout session #3 – Community energy in action - Local engagement in decarbonisation
  
  Facilitators: Samsø Energy Academy, Th!nk E, Island movement, ESIN
  
  The island transition teams will reflect on their starting point when it comes to community energy and citizens‑led initiatives for the clean energy transition.
10. 11:00 – 11:30 CEST
  
  Coffee break
12. 11:30 – 12:30 CEST
  
  Panel discussion – Islands energy policy: stakeholders engagement and policy alignment from development to implementation
  
  Panelists: Emmanouil Koutoulakis, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Irje Möldre, Ministry of Climate of Estonia, Rosalinde Van Der Vlies, DG ENER, EC, Moderation: Jan Cornillie, Clean energy for EU islands Secretariat
  
  This high‑level panel discusses governance of island energy transitions, with EU Member State representatives sharing experience on policy design and implementation, aligning government levels and stakeholders, and addressing coordination challenges.
14. 12:30 – 13:30 CEST
  
  Lunch break
16. 13:30 – 15:00 CEST
  
  Group session 2 - Member States Stakeholders Session
  
  This session focuses on aligning island clean energy priorities. Participants work in country‑based groups to discuss challenges, identify needed support, and co‑create a Memorandum of Collaboration defining joint actions to overcome shared barriers.
18. 15:00 – 15:15 CEST
  
  Coffee Break
  
  Transition back to plenary
20. 15:15-16:00 CEST
  
  Plenary discussion & conclusion
  
  In a plenary session, the Secretariat presents key outputs from the two days, sharing observed challenges, proposed solutions and stakeholder commitments, and drawing conclusions on differences, similarities and best practices.
22. 16:00 - 19:00
  
  Site Visit
  
  Site Visit 1: Rifugio Climatico Son Oliva School | Site Visit 2: Green H2 production facility