CONTEXT
Small islands states have characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme meteorological events. Coastal com-munities, atoll islands, and low-lying deltaic regions on larger islands are particularly vulnerable to tropical storm patterns, and to high sea levels.
Islands are dependent on imported fossil fuels for the majority of their energy needs, especially for electricity generation and transport. For reasons of lack of scale and isolation, energy infrastructure costs are higher, and the impact of oil price volatility is difficult to anticipate. The Caribbean region relies on imported fossil fuels for more than 95% of its energy use and its electricity prices are among the highest in the world. Fuel imports thus pose a significant constraint on development, crowding out vital capital and inhibit-ing economic growth.
Despite the high potential of Renewable Energies on many islands their share in the energy supply of most islands is low. Political, administrative, technical and financial barriers currently block the implementation of ambitious programs on many islands, such as:
• Lack of Renewable Energy roadmaps and regulatory frameworks that would encourage investment in Renewables
• Missing private sector participation in the development of Renewable Energy projects
• The lack of experience and expertise within the responsible agencies that develop Renewable Energy policy
• Lack of consultation between relevant stakeholders to benefit from synergies and complementarity (exchange of knowledge etc.)
OBJECTIVE
The project will address typical barriers and energy challenges on islands by elaborating and implementing roadmaps. Strengthening the Global Renewable Energy Islands Network (GREIN) is another objective. GREIN was founded by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
APPROACH
This project will be implemented jointly by GIZ and IRENA. It will be implemented in three regions (Western Atlantic, Carribean and Pacific), partner islands are Barbados, Cabo Verde, Kiribati and Vanuatu. The global approach ensures cross-learning between different regions, a broad outreach and balanced support to the GREIN. IRENA is active on Barbados and Kiribati, while GIZ is focusing on Cabo verde and Vanuatu. The project will focus on power generation on islands, while taking account of interdependencies with other sectors.
RESULTS
• Roadmaps for an effective and efficient transition towards RE have been developed for Barbados and Kiribati. For governments and the other involved actors these roadmaps serve as planning tools for analyzing RE-potential, costs, time-schedules or legal and administrative requirements.
• Energy authorities in Cabo Verde and Vanuatu are supported in the implementation of their energy policies and action plans for an energy transition. The elaboration of a grid code and an IPP-framework are preconditions for a higher share of RE in the different islands grids of Cabo Verde. The national energy plan (NERM) of Vanuatu has been revised. In combination with studies for the RE-based electrification of remote islands it will be possible to supply a greater share of the population with electricity and raise the share of RE at the same time.
• The GREIN-network is more attractive for users due to technical studies on RE-potential (e.g. wind-measurements), the use of RE in the tourism-sector or RE for desalination of sea water.