Why do small islands need a new energy infrastructure?

Islands – including those that make up the group known as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – also need to upgrade their energy infrastructure so that it is resilient to higher temperatures, more frequent natural disasters and flooding related to rising sea levels.

Do IEA islands need resilient power systems?

Islands need resilient power systems more than ever. Clean energy can deliver – Analysis - IEA Islands need resilient power systems more than ever.

Why do small islands need electricity?

Electricity systems on small islands are frequently over-sized, with high reserve power generation capacity and ancillary services needed locally to respond to daily and seasonal fluctuations, such as changes in demand resulting from high and low tourist seasons.

What are the challenges faced by remote and island communities?

Remote and island communities face several energy challenges, including unreliable power, lack of robust connections to mainstream power grids, and threats from strengthening storms.

Could geothermal power power a small island?

While most small islands will have to rely on intermittent solar or wind power, others are blessed with significant geothermal or hydroelectric potential that could provide a baseload electricity supply, and could conceivably follow the paths of Iceland and New Zealand.

Could distributed energy resources boost the deployment of renewables on islands?

Distributed energy resources – or small-scale energy resources that are usually situated near sites of electricity use, such as rooftop solar – could play an important role in boosting the deployment of renewables on islands, increasing the security, resilience and affordability of power systems while accelerating decarbonisation.