A new report under the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative examines how district heating networks powered by renewable heat sources can support the clean energy transition on islands, using the Dutch island of Ameland as a case study.
Heating accounts for a major share of energy demand on islands such as Ameland—around 67%—with most of it currently supplied by imported natural gas. Transitioning to sustainable heating is therefore critical, but also complex, particularly in geographically constrained and environmentally sensitive island contexts.
The study explores four key renewable heat sources for district heating systems: shallow geothermal energy, aquathermal energy, seawater-based solutions and air-source heat pumps. It highlights that no single solution can meet all needs, and instead points to the advantages of flexible, multi-source systems tailored to local conditions and settlement patterns.
Among the options assessed, aquathermal energy emerges as the most promising overall, particularly where existing water infrastructure—such as wastewater treatment plants—can be used to supply heat efficiently. Shallow geothermal systems also offer strong potential, providing stable, year-round heat suitable for village-scale networks. Seawater-based systems are especially relevant for coastal clusters, while air-source heat pumps are best used as complementary or peak solutions rather than stand-alone systems.
The report underlines that district heating can offer important advantages over individual heating solutions, including improved efficiency, reduced emissions and greater resilience to energy price fluctuations. However, it also identifies key challenges for islands, such as dispersed settlements, tourism-driven seasonal demand, limited grid capacity, and strict environmental regulations—particularly in protected areas such as the Wadden Sea.
To address these challenges, a phased, village-by-village approach is recommended, starting with pilot projects in priority locations. This allows for gradual scaling while building local acceptance and adapting solutions to site-specific conditions. Strong municipal leadership and community engagement are also highlighted as critical to successful implementation.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that while transitioning to sustainable heating on islands requires careful planning and coordination, district heating networks powered by renewable energy can play a central role in achieving climate neutrality—supporting resilient, locally anchored energy systems across Europe’s islands.
You can read the full report here District heating networks on heat pumps using (shallow) geothermal, aquathermal, seawater or air sources | Clean energy for EU islands