November 20, 2019 – Brac, Hvar, and Korcula are currently in the process of developing a clean energy transition strategy.
Splitski Dnevnik reports that six European islands announced their clean energy transition strategies, making a significant step towards decarbonizing their energy systems with a strong focus on citizen engagement.
Six transition strategies to clean energy have already been announced as part of the program of the 4th Island Clean Energy Forum for the EU Islands, in Split and Hvar, where EU island community stakeholders meet from November 20 to 22 to discuss transitions, technologies, and opportunities for the active involvement of citizens in the European islands.
In the last 9 months, the following island communities actively developed Clean Energy Transition Strategies with a strong emphasis on the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders and putting citizens at the center of the transition: the Aran Islands (Ireland), the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago (Croatia), Culatra (Portugal), La Palma (Spain), Salina (Italy) and Sifnos (Greece).
• The Cres-Lošinj archipelago aims to decarbonize its energy system by 2040 completely. This will be partially achieved by local community-owned solar power plants.
• Culatra will work on 100% renewable energy owned by the local community.
• The Aran Islands will install community-owned wind farms, remodel homes and install heat pumps or other renewable energy sources for domestic hot water and space heating
• Salina aims to increase public awareness of energy and the environment. Salina will decarbonize its power generation plants, switch to 100% electrical/hybrid mobility on the island, increase efficiency in buildings, and decarbonize its maritime traffic.
• La Palma aims at full decarbonization and self-sufficiency in the energy sector. The island transition team is strongly focused on building a strong island energy system, actively including more than 100 local associations committed to supporting island transition.
• Sifnos wants to become 100% renewable and self-sufficient and has developed several different routes that the island could follow to achieve this goal. All plants will be co-owned by the local community and private investors.
“Thanks to the evolution of technology, the potential to reduce energy costs on the islands and the transition to energy independence has never been greater. In the context of the clean energy package for all Europeans, an essential Clean Energy Initiative for the EU islands is aimed at assisting and accelerating the transition process. Moreover, islands can be beacons for global climate action.
Whether it be the use of wind energy, the renovation of houses and buildings, the use of electric vehicles, the decarbonisation of maritime traffic or the use of renewable energy for hot water and heating, the decarbonisation solutions presented on these six pilot islands will drive them towards greater energy efficiency, the use of more renewable energy sources and low-carbon development routes,” says Ditte Juul-Jørgensen.
Energy transition strategies have been developed by island energy transition teams with the expert and advisory support of the EU’s Clean Energy Secretariat. The readiness of these strategies will, in the coming months, guide the development of projects and strengthen local strategic frameworks that enhance the engagement and involvement of the local community. Additionally, they are currently in the process of developing a clean energy transition strategy for twenty other EU islands that will be published in the coming year, of which we highlight Brac, Hvar, and Korcula from Croatia.
Until now, island forums for clean energy have been held in different countries of the European Union – Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Croatia, namely Split and Hvar, has been selected as the fourth island forum.
Participation in the Forum in Croatia was confirmed by all levels of institutions, local and regional self-government units, ministry representatives, members of the European Commission and various other stakeholders from all over Europe. However, it is equally important that the Forum will be joined by representatives of more than 20 European islands in the process of transitioning to clean energy. The aim of the forum is to network island stakeholders from all over Europe and to foster dialogue with representatives of all decision-making levels in order to create a common vision for the transition of islands and to lay the foundations for its future realization.
On the first day of the conference, which will be held at the Le Meridien Lav Hotel, we will have opportunities to hear about the future of island policies from representatives from different EU and national institutions to create a common framework for further development. Considering that one of the activities during the Croatian Presidency of the European Commission is the creation of a long-term strategy for the further development of the EU islands, the panelists will present, through a moderated discussion, how the European islands will be provided with future support for their transition to clean energy.
During the second day, which will be held at the Hotel Amfora in Hvar, participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn about different technologies, but also learn about different models of islanders’ involvement in energy transition investment projects. Leaders of energy transitions on the islands of Hvar, Brac, and Korcula will also present their views on the transition to clean energy.
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