DAY 2 | 15 May 2024 | Watch the recording
Welcome
Jan Cornillie, Project Director of the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E), Jan Cornillie, Project Director of the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat (3E), opened the day, emphasising a phased approach to achieving 100% renewable energy on islands. He highlighted the importance of the EU's Island Pact as a crucial framework for supporting maritime regions.
The Islands Pact
Eleni Marianou, Secretary General at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), presents online, highlighting the complementary role of the EU Islands Secretariat to CPMR. She emphasizes the motto "no one is left behind" and discusses the proposed Pact of Islands, aiming for it to guide political actions with a holistic approach. CPMR represents over 150 regions from 24 states, advocating for balanced development across the European territory. As a think tank and lobby since 1973, CPMR ensures that the needs of its member regions, representing about 200 million people, are considered impactful policies.
Technical assistance and capacity building
Martina Cannata and Kostas Komninos from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E and DAFNI, respectively) presented updates on technical assistance and capacity-building efforts for 30 selected islands from 10 EU member states. The focus includes implementing various renewable energy technologies, developing sustainable transport solutions, enhancing energy efficiency, and building local capacity through 20 planned workshops. Additionally, a new initiative will be launched in September 2024 to support 19 additional "follower" islands.
Keynotes– The energy transition for enhancing the resilience of economic activities on islands
Guido Broggi (Greening the Islands Foundation) discussed the economic impacts of energy transitions, including reduced emissions, improved energy security, and new job creation. Jørgen Primdahl (University of Copenhagen) emphasised collaborative planning for land use changes due to the green transition. Lina Dubina (SolarPower Europe) introduced agrisolar, integrating PV systems within agricultural settings. Konstantinos Vlachos (Ministry of National Economy and Finance, Greece) outlined Greece's GR-eco islands initiative, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Working group – Energy and water efficiency for the residential and hospitality sectors
The workshop on energy and water efficiency for the residential and hospitality sectors emphasized that reducing demand is crucial for the energy transition. It highlighted the importance of bioclimatic architecture, which has historically adapted buildings to their environments while preserving local landscapes. This approach should be integrated into the design and renovation of buildings to balance modern and traditional housing needs. The discussion also addressed the high seasonality of tourism on islands, which affects energy and water demand. The working group, guided by panellists Cristina Becchio from Politecnico di Torino, Karl Agius from the University of Malta, and Mariangiola Fabbri from BPIE, aimed to identify solutions, opportunities, and policy recommendations for enhancing energy and water efficiency in island buildings. The session was moderated by Amandine Gal from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (Econoler).
Working group – Climate action, nature conservation, agriculture, tourism: how to bring competing land uses together for islands resilience?
The workshop focused on reconciling competing land uses to enhance island resilience amid climate change. With limited space and significant visual impact, islands face challenges in balancing agriculture, tourism, renewables, and nature conservation. The urgency of climate action necessitates integrating policy and adopting a collaborative spatial planning approach. This approach aims to create synergies, additional income opportunities, local ownership, and improved living conditions. Jørgen Primdahl from the University of Copenhagen set the scene, discussing the impacts of climate change on land use and landscape character. The session included group discussions and recommendations, moderated by Søren Hermansen from the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat (Samsø Energy Academy).
Working group – Aligning different stakeholders for a robust energy transition plan conscious of all economic activities on islands
The workshop addressed the complexities of aligning stakeholders for a robust energy transition plan on islands. It emphasised the need for an ambitious, yet realistic vision based on quantitative data, highlighting the importance of developing Clean Energy Transition Agendas (CETAs). These plans must consider all economic activities on the islands to achieve full decarbonisation. To realise this roadmap, buy-in from relevant stakeholders is essential, requiring alignment of their interests and expectations. Communication and negotiation strategies are vital for understanding diverse perspectives and finding compromises to align stakeholders towards common goals while ensuring economic sustainability. Through targeted presentations and interactive activities, the working group explored common conflicts of interest and provided strategies for effectively managing them through negotiation skills. The session was facilitated by James Ellsmore and Eelco Kruizinga from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (Island Innovation and DNV, respectively) and moderated by Martina Cannata from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (3E).
Interactive Session: Financing the energy transition of islands: the CE4EUI Marketplace
During the interactive session on financing the energy transition of islands, experts from the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat, including Jan Cornillie, Jorge Rodrigues de Almeida, and Amandine Gal, introduced the CE4EUI Marketplace. This platform aims to address the financing needs of island energy projects, considering their unique constraints such as smaller scale and regulatory challenges.
The session sought input from island representatives regarding their financing requirements. It emphasized the distinction between funding, typically in the form of grants, and financing, which involves private investors with a business model. The ideal approach involves a combination of both funding and finance. Island representatives expressed their need for third-party financing, indicating a significant interest in attracting private investment.
Key questions revolved around the size and priority of island projects, as well as their capacity to draft compelling proposals to attract investors. Discussions also touched upon negotiation skills regarding finance terms and conditions, bundling projects to mitigate risks for investors, and the activation of the CE4EUI Marketplace.
Overall, the session aimed to gather insights to enhance the effectiveness of the marketplace in facilitating the financing of clean energy projects on EU islands.
Closing remarks
Alejandro Ulzurrun De Asanza Y Munoz from DG ENER, European Commission,
In his closing remarks, Alejandro Ulzurrun De Asanza Y Munoz from DG ENER, European Commission, reflected on several key takeaways from the discussions:
- Opportunity and Transformation: These moments are crucial for EU society as they provide an opportunity to shape the future and effect meaningful change.
- Resilience: Addressing technical challenges is essential for policymaking, emphasising the importance of collaboration to build resilience in societies across islands and Europe.
- Community: The forum serves as a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, fostering a sense of common purpose and belonging.
- People at the Centre: Collaboration across various sectors is vital, focusing on policies that prioritise the well-being of individuals, spanning agriculture, health, employment, mobility, and energy efficiency.
- EU Support: The European Union is central in providing funding and support for projects to achieve tangible results for communities and islands.
- Gratitude: Munoz expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to societal transformation, highlighting it as a privilege to be part of such impactful initiatives.