The Clean Islands Secretariat of the EU Islands published a list of 26 European island communities today, officially launching their transition to clean energy sources and forms. Among 26 selected islands 10 Croatian islands are included: seven islands of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago (Cres, Ilovik, Lošinj, Male Srakane, Susak, Unije and Velike Srakane) and Brač, Hvar and Korčula.
Tonino Picula, MEP and vice-president of the Parliamentary Intergroup for the islands, said: "Islands are becoming more visible on the European agenda. Support for 26 islands across the Union is an important step for islanders who can become European leaders in the transition to clean energy. This is the first, but extremely important, step in ensuring continued European assistance to the islands. Congratulations to everyone, and especially our islanders."
Six selected island communities, including the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, have been singled out as pilot projects to be directly assisted by the Secretariat in drawing up energy transition plans by summer 2019. The remaining 20 islands, including Brač, Hvar and Korčula, will have plans by summer 2020. Despite the abundance of renewable energy sources, many islands are currently dependent on fossil fuels and onshore energy imports. Transitioning to clean energy sources can help islands not only become more self-sufficient and prosperous, but also open up new employment opportunities for their communities.
The first workshops will be organized by the Secretariat in Croatia, with the support of the Island Movement on the field. The Islands Secretariat was set up in June 2018, a year after MEP Tonino Picula, along with his two colleagues, pushed for an amendment that secured €2 million for its operation. The goal of the Clean Energy Secretariat in the EU Islands is to help as many European islands as possible to initiate and enhance their clean energy transition in a way that involves all island stakeholders.
The work of the Secretariat will continue with the so-called "Facility", through which the European Commission will provide an additional 10 million€ for clean energy infrastructure projects in the European islands. The first call for tenders is expected by the end of 2019.
