The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat has released two compelling technical-assistance reports in June, further reinforcing its mission to guide Europe’s island communities towards 100 % renewable energy by 2030.
The first report, published on 11 June 2025 for the island of Gotland, Sweden, outlines a detailed and visionary blueprint for transforming Visby’s historic inner city into a fossil-fuel-free zone. Going far beyond simply replacing conventional vehicles with electric models, the study proposes a broader reimagining of urban mobility within the medieval city walls—advocating for reduced car dependency and the promotion of sustainable travel modes that respect the heritage fabric of this UNESCO-listed city.
Meanwhile, on 10 June 2025, the secretariat also published a second report addressing the financial challenges of expanding solar energy in the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, Croatia. The study examines practical options for securing funding for solar power parks across the region, where five non-interconnected solar facilities with a combined capacity of 22.5 MW are already in development. This includes a smaller project led by the energy cooperative Apsyrtides—Sunčana elektrana Filozići—which is awaiting planning approval and already has land purchased and crowdsourced funding secured.
These two reports exemplify the secretariat’s holistic approach: in Visby, the focus is on redefining urban transport and energy use in ways that recognise both sustainability and cultural heritage; in Cres-Lošinj, the aim is to unlock the financial potential needed to scale up renewable energy deployment, strengthening local resilience and self-sufficiency.
These reports are expected to inform the steps taken by local governments and energy transition teams—whether that means piloting new transport systems in Visby or securing funding pathways and partnerships for solar infrastructure in Cres-Lošinj.
With the secretariat’s June publications, the Clean energy for EU islands initiative continues to chart a visionary yet practical path forward, ensuring that Europe’s island communities remain at the forefront of the clean-energy transition.