1| IRENA The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative IRENA’s work on islands issues addresses these challenges, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative is a framework for enabling energy transformations in SIDS through accelerated deployment of renewables. The initial timeframe is 5 years, and with a focus on the power sector, the goals are to: » » Mobilize USD 500 million » » Deploy 100 MW of new solar PV » » Deploy 20 MW of new wind power » » Deploy significant quantities of small hydropower and geothermal energy and a number marine technology projects in progress » » Ensure all participating SIDS develop renewable energy roadmaps IRENA’s SIDS Lighthouses Initiative was launched at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit in New York in 2014. Following the Climate Summit, and in anticipation of COP 21 in December, IRENA has ramped up work in support of islands’ energy transitions. By speeding the uptake of renewable energy on islands around the world, the Lighthouses Initiative will enable SIDS to maximise the use of indigenous, clean and plentiful renewable energy in a structured, holistic approach to ensure long-term sustainability. THE MARTINIQUE ACTION PLAN As part of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, IRENA and the French government, together with the regional government of Martinique, held a meeting on accelerating the uptake of renewables on islands. The Martinique Conference on Island Energy Transitions, held under the theme, “Pathways for Accelerated Uptake of Renewables”, took place in Fort-de-France, Martinique on 22-24»June»2015. Participants included government officials, companies and utilities involved in renewable energy development, banks interested in financing renewable energy development, experts in renewable energy resource assessment, and development partners. Discussions at this meeting focused on renewable resource assessments to spur investment, waste-to-energy systems to reduce waste disposal and electricity costs, and renewable-based desalination to provide islands with fresh water from the sea. The outcome of these discussions, the Martinique Action Plan (MAP), outlines practical steps for the deployment of renewable energy resources and technologies on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The MAP focuses largely on the development of wind, marine, geothermal and biomass energy, but stresses that all renewable energy sources are needed for the transition to a sustainable future. Conference participants said the MAP could form a solid basis for immediate actions by islands and partners to strengthen resilience to climate change. The MAP also emphasises the transformational nature of renewable energy on islands and the need for the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including at the community level. Event photos are available at this link. SEPTEMBER 2015 Energy is a crucial development challenge for islands. Most electricity is generated from imported diesel fuel at high cost. While many islands have identified the transition to renewable energy as a key policy priority, putting this into practice is often difficult due to the small size of island markets, high installation costs, shortages of skills, and limited access to finance.
Transcript
1| IRENA
The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative
IRENA’s work on islands issues addresses these challenges, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative is a framework for enabling energy transformations in SIDS through accelerated deployment of renewables.
The initial timeframe is 5 years, and with a focus on the power sector, the goals are to:
»» Mobilize USD 500 million
»» Deploy 100 MW of new solar PV
»» Deploy 20 MW of new wind power
»» Deploy significant quantities of small hydropower and geothermal energy and a number marine technology projects in progress
»» Ensure all participating SIDS develop renewable energy roadmaps
IRENA’s SIDS Lighthouses Initiative was launched at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit in New York in 2014. Following the Climate Summit, and in anticipation of COP 21 in December, IRENA has ramped up work in support of islands’ energy transitions. By speeding the uptake of renewable energy on islands around the world, the Lighthouses Initiative will enable SIDS to maximise the use of indigenous, clean and plentiful renewable energy in a structured, holistic approach to ensure long-term sustainability.
THE MARTINIQUE ACTION PLANAs part of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, IRENA and the French government, together with the regional government
of Martinique, held a meeting on accelerating the uptake of renewables on islands. The Martinique Conference on Island Energy Transitions, held under the theme, “Pathways for Accelerated Uptake of Renewables”, took place in Fort-de-France, Martinique on 22-24»June»2015. Participants included government officials, companies and utilities involved in renewable energy development, banks interested in financing renewable energy development, experts in renewable energy resource assessment, and development partners.
Discussions at this meeting focused on renewable resource assessments to spur investment, waste-to-energy systems to reduce waste disposal and electricity costs, and renewable-based desalination to provide islands with fresh water from the sea.
The outcome of these discussions, the Martinique Action Plan (MAP), outlines practical steps for the deployment of renewable energy resources and technologies on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The MAP focuses largely on the development of wind, marine, geothermal and biomass energy, but stresses that all renewable energy sources are needed for the transition to a sustainable future.
Conference participants said the MAP could form a solid basis for immediate actions by islands and partners to strengthen resilience to climate change. The MAP also emphasises the transformational nature of renewable energy on islands and the need for the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including at the community level.
Event photos are available at this link.
SEPTEMBER 2015
Energy is a crucial development challenge for islands. Most electricity is generated from imported diesel fuel at high cost.
While many islands have identified the transition to renewable energy as a key policy priority, putting this into practice is often difficult due to the small size of island markets, high installation costs, shortages of skills, and limited access to finance.
INFOCUS: THE SIDS LIGHTHOUSES INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTATION
KEY DATES IN THE TIMELINE OF IRENA’S WORK ON ISLANDS
23»Sep»2014Lighthouses Initiative LaunchNew York
The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative was launched at the Climate Summit in New York. For this Initiative, IRENA is working with partners to compile information on the SIDS power sector, renewable energy development best practices, and energy sector transformation issues.
This knowledge will assist in formulating the specific actions necessary to accelerate renewables’ deployment on SIDS.
The Lighthouses Initiative is the overarching framework that guides subsequent islands events.
22-24»June»2015Martinique
The workshop in Martinique on Island Energy Transitions: Pathways for Accelerated Uptake of Renewables considered and adopted the MAP.
“The Martinique Action Plan aims to advance the goal of mobilising the human, financial and technical resources to sustainably transition the energy systems of SIDS,” said IRENA’s Director of Knowledge Policy and Finance.
21-23»July»2015Hawaii
The Transforming Pacific Island Energy Systems workshop took place in Honolulu, Hawaii, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and sponsored by the United States.
The workshop reviewed the policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks needed, and addressed ways to develop solutions for the significant energy challenges throughout Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
Participants examined an integrated approach to energy sector planning and program implementation and explored financing and capacity-building possibilities for clean energy deployment in PICs. More information is available at this link.
3-4»August»2015Kuala Lumpur
The Workshop on Financing for Renewable Energy in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, sponsored by Japan.
Representatives from countries and organisations discussed how to take forward the actions agreed in Martinique as part of the MAP, focusing on opportunities and challenges for financing renewable energy in SIDS.
Participants agreed on the following recommendations to encourage a scaling up of renewable energy investments in SIDS:
»» continue to build and strengthen capacity and access to funding at regional and national level;
»» facilitate the development and financing of renewable energy projects; and
»» identify and utilise appropriate business models, financial instruments and funding sources for small-scale renewable energy systems in the SIDS context.
Results of this workshop will be taken forward at COP 21 in Paris and beyond.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:Under the joint statement on the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, the Initiative’s Action Plan has a 5-year timeframe, so the time to act is now. The more Partners who join the Initiative, the faster progress can be made.
All are invited to contribute to SIDS’ transitions, including in preparations for COP 21 in Paris in December, a major milestone in the Lighthouses timeline. At COP 21, participants can emphasise that renewable energy is a key tool in the battle against climate change, using the example of island energy transformations.
For»SIDS:
SIDS are invited to join the Lighthouses Initiative, in order to develop a strategic, comprehensive approach to the deployment of renewable energy that will support a sustainable transition away from fossil fuels. Upon joining, IRENA would conduct a SIDS Lighthouses Quick Scan to identify barriers to renewable energy deployment and opportunities for coordinated assistance from Lighthouses Partners.
For»Non-SIDS:
Non-SIDS are also invited to join the Initiative in support of its goals for sustainable energy on islands.
For»more»information»about»how»to»become»a»Lighthouses»Partner,»please»contact:Daniela Schmidt ([email protected]) or Arieta Rakai ([email protected])
INFOCUS: THE SIDS LIGHTHOUSES INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTATION
4-7»October»2015Cape Town
There will be a Germany-sponsored side event on islands energy issues at the South Africa International Renewable Energy Conference (SAIREC) as the next part of the islands renewable energy conversation. Organised by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) and hosted by the Government of South Africa, SAIREC is a high-level political conference series for Ministers, high-level decision makers, experts, the private sector, and civil society to discuss ways to accelerate the global scale-up of renewable energy.
30»Nov»-»11»Dec»2015Paris
A key milestone for the islands and renewables series will take place at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris this December. IRENA together with partners - including the French Syndicate for Renewable Energy (SER), the European Commission and REN21 - will host an event showcasing progress made on the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative to date.
