While islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change, they enjoy a naturally high potential of renewable energy sources to harness. Many islands have abundant renewable energy potential, which can be tapped to lead decarbonisation. However, access to reliable, clean and competitive sources of energy remains a main concern of island communities in the EU. Although it is often technically and financially possible to develop renewable energy projects on islands, legal and regulatory frameworks, whether EU, national, regional or local, are not always fitfor purpose.

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.

A new technical report from the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative provides valuable insights into how salt exposure affects heat pumps and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems—and how these impacts can be effectively managed in coastal environments.Salt spray and harsh marine conditions can significantly accelerate corrosion in key system components, reducing performance, increasing maintenance costs and shortening the lifespan of energy installations.

A new technical report under the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative explores practical insulation solutions for traditional stone-walled buildings, focusing on the specific challenges faced on Cape Clear Island, Ireland.Stone buildings are a defining feature of many European islands, contributing to local heritage and identity.

Coastal conditions and salt spray exposure pose challenging operating conditions for many infrastructure systems, including heat pumps and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. By accelerating component corrosion and shortening their useful life, salt exposure may lead to multiple issues for this equipment, including increased maintenance costs, reduced operational efficiency, reliability issues, and ultimately poor investment returns.

Ameland, one of the Dutch West Frisian Islands situated within the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, is committed to a full transition away from natural gas in line with the Netherlands' Climate Agreement target of a gas-free built environment by 2050. Heating currently accounts for approximately 67% of the island's total energy demand (excluding the NAM platform), almost entirely supplied by imported natural gas via individual gas-fired boilers.

Improving the energy performance of traditional stone-walled buildings presents both an opportunity and a challenge, particularly in remote, climatically exposed locations such as Cape Clear Island. These buildings represent an important part of the local architectural heritage, but they typically exhibit poor thermal performance due to their solid construction, lack of insulation, and high exposure to wind-driven rain and humidity. This document aims to provide practical guidance on insulation solutions for traditional stone-walled buildings.

The European Commission has presented its first dedicated strategy for EU islands, marking a significant milestone in recognising the unique challenges and opportunities facing island communities across Europe.The new strategy focuses on strengthening islands’ resilience, competitiveness and sustainability, while ensuring that the green transition delivers tangible benefits for local communities.

The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat has published a new technical assistance report examining how to reduce emissions from ferry services connecting the Swedish islands of Hven, Visingsö, Vinön and Holmön with the mainland.The study, available here: Decarbonisation of the ferry service for Hven, Visingsö, Vinön, and Holmön, provides a comprehensive assessment of maritime transport systems that are essential to daily life on these islands, where ferry routes typically cover distances of around 10 km in about 30 minutes and can reach up to 30 crossings per day.As on many European