Clean energy can help islands build more secure and resilient power systems.

Small and remote islands are subject to an array of energy challenges. They are often isolated from mainland power grids, leading to difficulties in balancing supply and demand. They tend to be heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which can lead to high costs and energy security risks. And, despite their limited contributions to global emissions, they are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events.

With more than 730 million people living on 11,000 permanently inhabited islands across the world, and with the number of natural disasters rising sharply in recent decades, it is crucial to find answers to these issues and meet the energy needs of island residents in a secure, sustainable and affordable manner.

The IEA’s recent commentary explores one key solution: expanding the deployment of clean energy technologies, including renewables. It notes that leaning into clean energy, while also increasing the efficiency and digitalisation of energy systems, can deliver major benefits. Technologies such as rooftop solar, batteries, microgrids and virtual power plants have particular potential. Islands experienced unique energy challenges. Small and remote islands, which often have abundant renewable energy resources, have the potential to become hubs of clean energy innovation.

/IEA/