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Study on regulatory barriers and recommendation for clean energy transition on EU islands

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.

Report: Technical Assistance for Pantelleria

Pantelleria is an Italian island and commune in the Strait of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, 100 kilometres southwest of Sicily and 60 km east of the Tunisian coast. Administratively, Pantelleria commune belongs to the Sicilian province of Trapani. The objective of this study is to evaluate the best solution for a 7MW solar plant at Pantelleria airport, achieving the highest IRR. The study focuses on providing sufficient information on the solution and thus identifies the highest financial savings over a 20-year period, taking into account the specific costs.

Report: Technical Assistance for Syros

Syros municipality has been proactive in preparation of mandatory Electric Vehicle Charging Plan in coordination with distribution system operator, HEDNO. The plan has been adopted and it foresees thirty four charging locations on the island. Based on the previously analysed implementation approaches, the municipality has been considering partner collaboration through joint-venture or concession approach.

Report: Technical Assistance for Samos

Samos is a Greek island located in the eastern Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos, and the Dodecanese, and off the coast of western Turkey, from which it is separated by the 1.6- kilometre-wide Mycale Strait.

In 2020, Samos developed its Clean Energy Transition Agenda (CETA), following the guidelines of the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat. The CETA is a strategic roadmap that sets out the paths that the energy transition in Samos will follow, to be jointly implemented by the local community and the stakeholders.

Report: Technical Assistance for Thira

Thira applied with the project Energy Upgrades in the Port Infrastructure of Thira for the second call for technical assistance from the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat in April 2022. A Scope Definition meeting took place on 31 May 2022 between DAFNI, Protasis and the Islands secretariat to agree on the final scope of the project and define the tasks. This report is the final deliverable of the project.

Engagement guide

This engagement guide aims to provide island transition teams with tips, guidance, and inspiration on how to involve, liaise, and include stakeholders in all stages of the clean energy transition process. Effectively engaging with the relevant actors that could be affected by the transition is a key for its success. This prominently involves the local stakeholders on the island, but also regional, national, and European organisations.

#CE4EUislands - Studies on Regulatory Barriers in Seven European Countries

After two years of research, the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat published a series of studies accompanied by booklets on regulatory barriers and recommendations for the clean energy transition on EU islands concerning seven EU member states. These countries include Spain, Sweden, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Italy, and Ireland. Each study has a corresponding shorter booklet that summarises the study's main points. These studies will be combined in one elaborate study on the regulatory barriers and recommendations for islands as well as governments on how to overcome them.

Ulva

The Isle of Ulva is located off the west coast of Mull and is approximately 2,000 hectares, 12 km long by 4km wide. The island has been inhabited for over 7,000 years but has suffered a significant population decline since the 1800s, currently standing at 11 residents. Ulva is in an unusual position for a Scottish island as there is an expectation that the island population will grow significantly in the short to medium term, with an aim to reach a population of 50 within the next 20 years.

STUDY - Regulatory barriers in Sweden: findings and recommendations

This Study on legal and regulatory barriers for the clean energy transition on Swedish islands is the result of a consultative process. Based on an inventory of the current legislation and information gathered via surveys and interviews, the Clean energy for EU Islands Secretariat has brought together relevant stakeholders to identify barriers to the clean energy transition on Swedish islands, and formulated recommendations to overcome them.

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