The municipality of Carloforte (San Pietro island, Italy) has taken a significant step forward in its transition to clean energy. Thanks to a successful bid in a regional call funded by the Just Transition Fund (JTF), the town has secured €1.45 million to invest in solar and battery storage infrastructure aimed at significantly improving local energy self-consumption.
The project will see the installation of at least 270 kW of photovoltaic panels and over 500 kWh of battery capacity. The solar systems will be installed on the rooftops of five municipal buildings, including three schools and a public gym, turning these public spaces into local power hubs and reducing the town’s reliance on imported electricity.
This funding builds on the island’s broader commitment to sustainability. San Pietro, located in Sardinia and part of the Carloforte municipality, has already made strides through its participation in the EU’s Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative. With a population of just under 6,000 residents, the island currently produces about 13.5% of its electricity locally, mainly through existing rooftop PV installations and a 1 MW solar plant. However, most of its energy still comes from mainland Italy via an undersea cable.
In recent years, San Pietro has emerged as a leader in community-based energy innovation. Through the REACT project, the island has been piloting a Virtual Power Plant concept, integrating rooftop solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, and demand-response systems across both public and private buildings. In parallel, feasibility studies are underway for the repowering of the Nasca Wind Farm, which could significantly increase renewable generation, and for pumped-hydro storage using existing reservoirs and seawater. These projects reflect San Pietro’s ambition to become 100% renewable by 2030.
The town’s Clean Energy Transition Agenda, developed in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino and the EU islands secretariat, continues to guide its progress. With this new investment, San Pietro is not only strengthening its energy resilience but also setting a powerful example for sustainable island communities across Europe.