Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union
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Renewable energies
Europe launches a study on renewable energies upon the request of OCTA.
Concerns and opportunities for the OCTs
Small islands economies are characterized by a dependence on natural resources (in particular for fossil energy), and by some specific difficulties in the distribution of energy (access to the power grid). Each OCT must take into account this natural constraint in its energy policy and, in particular, make sure it uses its natural assets in the best possible way (wind, sun, biomass and water generated energies). The TEP VERTES project, implemented in the Pacific, is a very good example of how the use of renewable energies can not only improve the comprar cialis sublingual living conditions among rural or isolated populations but also stimulate economic growth and employment.
During the last OCT Forum (Greenland, 2012), it was recognised in OCTA’s political resolutions that the main elements of the future EU-OCT partnership are to enhance OCT competiveness, strengthen OCT resilience and promote cooperation. Therefore, upon the request of OCTA, the European Commission launched a study on renewable energies. The renewable energies study is intended to provide momentum to the OCTs green energy policies, and at the same give further meaning to the OCTs’ common green growth objectives.
Given their insularity, OCTs are limited by geographic constraints, which also represent a barrier to the import or export of energy. Next to energy captivity, storage is a major challenge for OCTs. Demand side management calls for different solutions in an OCT island environment as compared to mainland Europe.
Overall, the cost of storage is an often problem. Renewable energies can play a major role in tackling the specific challenges of energy in the OCTs. It is necessary to study solutions that overcome the problem of storage and to identify customers and their energy needs (e.g. energy use profile).
Additionally, OCTs need to establish roadmaps for the transition to a smart sustainability.
An island environment is ideal for testing applications and energy policies on a wide scale: as a living lab for smart grid applications, electrical driving, medium sized solar projects, updates on wind performance and energy saving for island households and businesses. The analysis of the current situation regarding energy in the OCTs, should feed into updated energy policy strategies for the OCTs.
In this context, experts and representatives from the OCTs attended the Aruba Green Conference 2012 to exchange best practices and interact with leading speakers in technological and EU energy policy.