Ireland is one of 14 EU member states that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative this week.

The memorandum establishes a long-term framework for co-operation to help islands generate their own sustainable, low-cost energy. The MoU also calls for the continuation of the Islands Secretariat and supports co-operation to identify common solutions and best practices helping islands facing common challenges that cannot be addressed simply at island-level. Cape Clear and the Aran Islands are among the islands taking part in this initiative.

Islands are in a favourable position to make a successful transition to clean energy, the commission has said. They have abundant potential for renewable energy, which may be combined with energy efficiency measures and flexibility solutions (e.g. demand-response and storage) to create decarbonised local energy systems.

Achieving the clean energy transition of islands will contribute to realising the objectives of the European Green Deal, while saving costs, benefitting local populations and island economies, it said.

In May 2017, the commission launched the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative as part of the Clean Energy package with the objective of supporting the EU islands in their decarbonisation.

A Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat was also established to support EU islands, as well as a Clean Energy for EU Islands Forum to engage stakeholders and public authorities and share best practices.