European Islands pioneering the Green Transition and the sustainable use of natural resources

In the current context, REPowerEU has reminded the urgent need to accelerate the energy transition. This session examined how island stakeholders are already invested in this mission, developing innovative solutions related to climate mitigation and adaptation as well as the use of natural resources.

This is done done through an interactive panel discussion featuring frontrunners from different sectors (regional government, EU, academia, etc.) and islands coming from different parts of Europe (Balearic Islands, Greek Islands, Azores, Mayotte, etc.).

Panellists provide concrete examples of their islands’ involvement in delivering green transition through green hydrogen, marine renewable energy, solar renewables, storage, energy communities etc., but also thanks to decarbonisation policies. The examples presented are models towards higher energy independence, a better security of supply and better grid stability while reducing energy costs. Participants will also discuss the needs and challenges that remain, and how best to address them, with a view to foster interregional cooperation.

Amonst these examples, you will hear about the following projects:

• Green Hysland – Deployment of a Hydrogen Ecosystem on the Island of Mallorca;
• MAESHA – deMonstration of smArt and flExible solutions for a decarboniSed energy future in Mayotte and other European islAnds;
• How the Government of the Balearic Islands is intensively boosting energy communities and shared self-consumption of energy initiatives through its Balearic Institute for Energy, that are especially relevant in the current context of war and energy shortages;
• and much more!

Speakers

• Kostas KOMNINOS, Director of DAFNI – Network of Sustainable Greek Islands and Head of Energy and Climate Change at the Aegean Energy and Environment Agency
• Pep Malagrava, General Director of Energy and Climate Change – Balearic Islands Government
• Edita DRANSEIKAITE, Coordinator of the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative,
  DG ENER
• Joana FERREIRA RITA, Regional Director for Energy, Autonomous Region of the
  Azores
• Nikolas SCHÖNE, Chair of Community Energy and Adaptation to Climate Change – Technische Universität Berlin (TUB)

Islands have all the preconditions to be among the frontrunners. Technologies and business models are there to be replicated and scaled according to their needs.

Edita Dranseikaite, DG Energy – European Commission