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consumption by promoting energy-efficient building renovation and energy savings. From an economic
point of view, the aim is to develop new markets, make companies more competitive and increase skill
levels. Technological innovations in the field of energy transition also need to be accommodated (islands
are an ideal test-bed given that input and output flows can be measured accurately).
From a social point of view, considerations involve combating energy poverty and reducing inequality
in the face of rising energy costs. This ambitious action programme has received wide acclaim. Île
d’Yeu is among 212 French districts lauded for their contribution to green growth (‘Territoires à
énergie positive pour la croissance verte’).

Website for the project: www.iles-yeu-noirmoutier.eoliennes-mer.fr

3.3 Solar energy

On Favignana, energy generation is a challenge. The Egadi Islands are not connected to each
other, nor are they connected to the Sicilian mainland. The cost of energy generation is high for the
population. Another problem is related to the level of consumption, which differs in summer and
winter (households do not use heating systems in the winter, while consumption rockets during the
summer due to the use of air conditioning and tourism. The municipality’s storage capacity is only
30KW. For the time being, wind energy is not allowed due to a law protecting the landscape. It is
impossible to develop a gas plant, unless the municipality builds a methanation unit. One private
project to develop a new power plant is in breach of the MPA. Solar power is used as described in the
Sun and Stars of the Egadi Islands project.
Website for the project: http://www.comune.favignana.tp.gov.it/po/mostra_news.php?id=174&area=H

Ten years after the Kyoto Protocol entered into force (1997), Samsø won a national competition, reaching
99.6% renewable energy within ten years. On this Danish island, wind energy predominates thanks to
a combination of offshore and land-based windmills, but
there is solar energy as well. The EESC visited a farm, whose
owner has begun the transition from traditional farming to
energy generation. The farmer has invested in solar panels
which are installed on the stables and barn. In addition, to
achieve scale, the farmer has invested in solar panels installed
on factories in Germany and Italy, generating energy which
is sold and injected into the grids. Shifting from traditional
farming remains a challenge in all of Europe’s developed
countries, which is why the farm has diversified while also
contributing to increased use of renewables. Windmills installed on a farm, Samsø, Denmark

3.4 Energy efficiency and sustainable mobility

On Favignana, the “Sun and the Stars of the Egadi islands” project began in 2008, following a call for
funding from the Italian Ministry of the Environment. The project has a number of pillars:

• Soft mobility: through the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles for the city administration, and
incentives for local residents and economic operators. In practical terms, financial contributions are
granted to encourage the use of mountain bikes, electric bicycles and electric scooters. The initiative
is open only to residents and local economic operators (e.g. accommodation and vehicle hire).

• Renewable energy: the public sector has already
installed 6.72KW solar panels on the roof of the town
hall, and 10.2KW panels on the school roof. Solar thermal
energy installations are authorised only if they protect
the landscape – the solar panels should not be visible
and so spoil the island’s heritage. Households applying
for funding will be reimbursed for 30% of the cost of the
Solar PV system installed on the roof of the Casa installation.
Comunale, Favignana, Italy

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