clean energy

In 2021 and 2022 the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (the secretariat) conducted a study on the regulatory barriers affecting the clean energy transition of islands. This provided significant insights into the operation of the islands’ electricity systems and formulated recommendations to overcome existing challenges. Grid constraints and the lack of security of supply were identified as two of the key barriers to the decarbonisation of EU islands’ energy systems.

This policy brief highlights the role of national governments in fostering the development of energy communities in their territories overall, and in particular on how to support energy communities in fulfilling their potential for social cohesion.The policy brief first reviews the transposition process of the first-generation EU legislation on energy communities and key aspects of it. It then outlines the new provisions that Member states will need to adopt in the coming years as part of the second-generation EU legislation on energy communities.

This policy brief highlights the different roles that local governments can play to foster socially inclusive renewable energy schemes, building notably on the Sun4All experience, which exemplifies the many kinds of municipal involvement and business models that can exist when dealing with energy poverty and energy sharing schemes. The policy brief also lays out a set of recommendations for local authorities regarding funding, policy, technical assistance and governance.You can find here the recommendations for the national level and for the EU level.

This policy brief gives a brief overview of the political and regulatory context at the European level for the development of energy communities, focusing on their social role. The brief shows that while regulation of energy communities is still in its infancy, it benefits from a good political dynamic pushed by the EU. Nevertheless, the social obligations ascribed to energy communities as non-traditional market players are not matched with the support needed to meet such expectations.

The Smart Cities Marketplace has invited the EU islands secretariat to take part in its podcast series Urban Reverb and to discuss the similarities between the decarbonisation efforts of small and mid-sized cities and those of islands. We explore whether islands can serve as models for the decarbonisation of towns. Additionally, we delve into the support provided by the EU islands secretariat's "30 for 2030" call, the challenges faced by islands and strategies for engaging citizens in the energy transition.

Photography by Torben Jørgensen from Bornholms Energi Og Forsyning, the winner of the fourth Call for Postcards in 2023 by the Clean Energy for the EU islands secretariat.You can download the print version of the postcard below or save the picture to share it digitally. 

Photography by Orbital Marine Power, the winner of the fourth Call for Postcards in 2023 by the Clean Energy for the EU islands secretariat.You can download the print version of the postcard below or save the picture to share it digitally. 

This Technical Assistance aims to support the electrification of A Illa de Arousa's port and mussel farming activities. The wind potential and solar potential of the island were analyzed, indicating that a small-scale wind turbine and ground-mounted solar PV system could generate significant electricity. The future energy consumption of the port was estimated, and different charging profiles for the electrified vessels were created.

The Municipality of Halki and the Energy Community of Halki have been selected for the second round of technical assistance under the Electryone project, provided by the Clean Energy for EU Islands secretariat. The study focuses on three main tasks.

Photography by Petra Schwab, the winner of the third photography competition organised in 2022 by the Clean Energy for the EU islands secretariat.

You can download the print version of the postcard below or save the picture to share it digitally.