2 September 2014: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched two publications examining the deployment and benefits of renewable energy in island economies. ‘A Path to Prosperity: Renewable Energy Islands’ presents case studies that illustrate innovative solutions and partnerships for advancing renewable energy deployment in small island developing States (SIDS). ‘Renewable Energy Opportunities for Island Tourism’ analyzes four renewable energy technologies, and confirms that their use can significantly increase the competitiveness of the tourism sector on islands.

The booklet titled ‘Renewable Energy Islands’ was prepared in support of the Renewable Energy Forum, which was held on 30 August 2014, in Apia, Samoa, before the Third International Conference on Small Islands States. It includes 24 case studies from: Africa; the Indian Ocean; the Mediterranean; the South China Sea; the Caribbean; and the Pacific. Each case study includes an overview of the project’s main features and impact, and key insights.

Projects featured include the ‘Cabeolica Wind Project’ from Cabo Verde, which contributed to the Government’s renewable energy target of a 50% generation share by 2020 by constructing 30 turbines in four wind farms that generate up to 25.5 MW of electricity. A geothermal development project in Dominica has completed the drilling of three exploration wells for a 10-15 MW geothermal power plant, and a mini-grid solar project in a community in Fiji has replaced the need for diesel-fuelled electricity generation.

Framing renewable energy as an opportunity for the tourism sector to increase profitability and reduce vulnerability, the report on ‘Renewable Opportunities for Island Tourism’ presents a technology assessment of solar water heating systems, solar and sea water air conditioning systems, and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It also examines barriers and enablers for technology deployment, discusses a modeling study, and presents four case studies.

The report on tourism sector opportunities was followed, on 2 September, by a joint statement by IRENA and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), whereby the two organizations commit to encourage investment in cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions that reduce islands’ reliance on fossil fuels. Given the importance of tourism for many island economies, the statement calls for hotels to: invest in renewable energy; document their energy savings and cost reductions from these options; and share the information through the Global Renewable Energy Islands Network (GREIN). [IRENA Booklet Publication Webpage] [Publication: A Path to Prosperity: Renewable Energy for Islands] [IRENA Report Publication Webpage] [Publication: Renewable Energy Opportunities for Island Tourism] [IRENA and UNWTO Joint Statement Press Release] [IISD RS Story on the SIDS Renewable Energy Forum] [IISD RS Coverage of the SIDS Conference]