Join the EU islands secretariat on the Azores for the annual #CE4EUislands Forum!Island communities, experts, and stakeholders will meet to explore how to achieve a 100% renewable energy future while balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.SAVE THE DATE: 14-15 May 2025, São Miguel, AZORES, PORTUGALPlease find more information on the EU islands forum 2025 here.
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.
The Interdisciplinary Laboratory on Climate Change (LINCC-UIB), the regional partner of the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat in Spain and coordinator of island actions in the country, has been awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Palma 2024. The LINCC-UIB was created in 2017 to advance climate change research and develop prevention strategies.
Photography by Mark Zagers from Saba Electric Company, the winner of the sixth photography competition organised in 2024 by the Cleanenergy for the EU islands secretariat.The photograph shows Saba's Solar Park's Phases 1 and 2, which allow 34% of the entire island of Saba’s energy demand to be produced from clean energy. During optimal conditions, the island can run entirely on clean energy during daylight hours.
Photography by Maja Dešpoja, the winner of the sixth photography competition organised in 2024 by the Clean energy for the EU islands secretariat.
On 25 November, Eurelectric and the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat co-hosted a webinar that brought together 60 participants to discuss challenges and solutions for enhancing grid systems on islands and non-interconnected regions. The webinar provided critical insights and practical examples, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches to support the energy transition.
This year’s Clean energy for EU islands forum took place on May 20 - 21. The event was a great success with around 270 participants and more than 50 speakers. Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, held an intriguing opening speech on the first day.“The clean energy transition and our climate ambitions are not about stripping away our way of life. They are about evolving towards a new one.
The EU island forum 2022, was organised as an on-site event at the Rhodes Bay Hotel on Rhodes, Greece, and featured high-level keynotes by Greek Minister Kostas Skrekas and Commissioner Kadri Simson as well as MEP Tonino Picula - Chair of the SEArica intergroup, European Parliament, Chrysi Vitsilaki - Rector University of the Aegean and Antonis Kabourakis – Mayor of Rhodes, three plenaries (Act, Shape, Explore), four parallel sessions, and a site visit to the GR-eco-island Chalki.
The EU islands forum in a nutshell (07- 08 June 2023)95 participants attended the on-site event over the two days at Thule Koda, Saaremaa121 participants took part in the live stream;nearly 40 speakers;6 workshops covering a range of topics technical topics as well as financial and sustainability discussions;7 presentations and panel discussions ranging from why it is important for islands to become 100% renewable to lessons learnt from technical assistance to EU islands.199 registered participants62 participants took part in the site visit to BWB – Baltic Work Boats and the local presentat
Join us in the Azores for the #CE4EUislands forum 2025!Island communities, experts, and stakeholders will come together to explore the path to achieving a 100% renewable energy future while balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.SAVE THE DATE: 14-15 May 2025, São Miguel, AZORES, PORTUGALRegister now!The forum will showcase the progress made with the EU islands secretariat’s 30 for 2030 initiative.