ENGLISH (EN)

The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat is delighted to unveil the outcomes of the recent Follower Islands call, a significant step in supporting European islands on their journey to decarbonisation.

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.

As one of the frontrunners in Denmark’s island energy transition, Fejø has taken an important step in grounding its Clean Energy Transition Agenda (CETA) in the reality of local engagement. Despite strong momentum, the Fejø Transition Team has recently encountered challenges navigating Denmark’s complex legal planning framework, forcing a period of reflection and adaptation.Fejø, part of a small archipelago off the coast of Lolland, has seen its dedicated volunteers put significant effort into crafting a vision for a sustainable future.

As part of the EU’s 30 by 2030 Clean energy for EU islands initiative, the island of Gotland took a significant step forward in its strategy for community engagement and participation. In collaboration with the Energy Academy of Samsø, Denmark, a practical workshop (08 April 2025) was held to explore effective methods of fostering local involvement in the energy transition.Organised by Energicentrum Gotland and led by sustainability expert Mr Sören Hermansen, the workshop took place in the village centre of Roma, just outside Visby.

Lambay is the largest island off the east coast of Ireland and lies just 20 km from the centre of Dublin and five km off the coast of Rush, North County Dublin. It is a Natural 2000 site and part of a Special Area of Conservation. The island is entirely off-grid and has been partly renewably powered since the 1970s. The island availed of an EU ERDF LEADER grant in 2023 to increase storage, wind and solar PV capacity and also convert to a three-phase system.  The current aim is to optimise the renewable generation through an intelligent grid system with heat pumps.

This report estimates the potential annual energy production by an in-pipe hydro plant on the island of La Palma, Spain. The Caldereta reservoir and its connected pipelines are considered for the plant's location. The expected energy production is calculated based on modelling work. The island transition team selected the Caldereta reservoir in the southern region of La Palma, Fuencaliente, for this study. Two pipelines, one downstream and one upstream, are of interest and connected to the Caldereta reservoir.

This report presents the results of the pre-feasibility assessment for repowering the Nasca Wind Farm, located on San Pietro Island (Sardinia, Italy). To assess the repowering of the existing wind farm, a total of 8 new possible configurations were considered, highlighting the benefits of higher tower heights.

This report explores the potential for integrating PV systems and BESS at Pantelleria Airport. Developing a hybrid PV-BESS plant at Pantelleria Airport represents a pivotal step toward achieving energy independence and sustainability on the island. Pantelleria can significantly reduce its reliance on imported fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and stabilize energy costs.  Given its large, underutilised surfaces, the airport presents a strategic opportunity for a PV plant.

This report explores energy efficiency measures for traditional buildings in Ireland, focusing on the Aran Islands, which feature a rich portfolio of historic stone buildings. It highlights the European Union’s (EU) regulations and directives to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, as well as Ireland’s national policy framework. Key retrofitting measures discussed in the report aim to improve thermal performance while preserving the external appearance of buildings in compliance with conservation regulations.