The island of Chalki fulfills the necessary conditions to turn to the production of energy through RES, to meet the needs of electricity on the island and at the same time the decarbonisation of marine and road transport, thus meaningfully decreasing the carbon footprint. Actors involved are the French Embassy in Greece, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Region of the South Aegean, The Municipality of Chalki Island, The PPC S.A, Syggelidis Group SA, Akuo Energy Greece S.A, Omexom S.A, and Vodafone S.A. The reduction of the human activity impact is a core factor in combatting the climate change phenomenon.
Chalki is a small island with 240 local residents. It is an island of the barren line of the Dodecanese with many difficulties, especially in the winter months, due to the bad weather conditions that prevail. The challenges facing our island as a sustainable destination concern the management of energy, water and waste. In the modern social and economic environment, the promotion of "green" energy and "smart" solutions are factors for improving entrepreneurship and strengthening the tourist experience, contributing to the achievement of energy efficiency and the fight against energy poverty. All of the above can be implemented in the context of environmental, social and corporate governance initiatives, promoting economic development through digitisation and the island's energy transition. The aim is to highlight all clean energy applications and their combination with new cutting-edge technologies. Access to finance is the main inhibiting factor when it comes to the implementation of the EU Green Deal.
Chalki is the first GR-eco island of our country and has become a model island for energy transition. The GR-eco Islands is a strategic initiative of the Greek Government aiming to transform the Greek islands into models of green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation and ecological mobility. It includes actions such as the increased use of Renewable Energy Sources, the creation of digital infrastructure, the promotion of energy efficiency, the sustainable management of waste and water, the e-mobility and electrification of transport, the green transformation of agriculture and tourism, and the development of port and other infrastructures, through targeted interventions and customised programs of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and co-competent Ministries, under the umbrella of the National Plan for Energy and Climate.
The choice of Chalki as the first GR-eco Island has a symbolic character, as it is an island in the barren line of the Southeastern Aegean, part of the Dodecanese, which holds significant geopolitical interest in the wider region. In addition, it aspires to function as a model for the energy transition of the Greek islands. The mechanism that all the residents and businesses of the island supported was the creation of an energy community with the participation of the Municipality of Chalkis. The local community is located at the forefront of the energy transition.
The establishment of the Energy Community “ChalkiON”, in which the Municipality of Chalki and all the inhabitants of the island can become members and through the Virtual Net Metering process can connect remotely the PV power generator system with its members’ metres, is the first case of such a project in Greece. After the collection of data through the electricity bills of Chalki’s inhabitants, the needs of the island were calculated at 1.700MWh per year on average, which makes the installation of the 1MW photovoltaic park able to qualify Chalki as the First Energy Autonomous Island in Greece.
Quotes:
Resident of Chalki : "With Clean Energy? Reduced bills and a way to save the Planet."
Local business: "If we can come up with innovations and train young people to take on new jobs, and if we can switch to clean energy, I think we have the capacity to build a world not dependent on fossil-fuel."
In May 2017, Greece signed the "Political Declaration on Clean Energy for EU Islands" along with the European Commision and 13 other states. The EU Clean Energy for EU islands Secretariat has been created for the accomplishment of the goals set in the aforementioned documents. Greece is in the process of launching the national initiative GR-ECO islands that aims to foster a comprehensive green conversion of small islands challenged by energy insularity and relying on tourism.
The island of Chalki fulfills the necessary conditions in order to turn to the production of energy through RES, to meet the needs of electricity on the island and at the same time the decarbonisation of marine and road transport, thus meaningfully decreasing its carbon footprint. The actors involved are the French Embassy in Greece, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Region of South Aegean, the Municipality of Chalki Island, the PPC S.A, Syggelidis Group SA, Akuo Energy Greece S.A, Omexom S.A, and Vodafone S.A. Reduction of the impact of human activity is a core factor in combatting the climate change phenomenon.
Links:
https://www.dimoschalkis.gr/anakoinoseis/1st-gr-eco-island-chalki/
https://clean-energy-islands.ec.europa.eu/news/gr-eco-islands-turning-greek-islands-models-green-sustainable-development
https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/topics/business-r-d/7584-chalki,-the-first-gr-eco-island
The benefits for the environment and the inhabitants of Chalki
Savings of €180.000 – €250.000 per year
MUNICIPALITY OF CHALKI ISLAND
65% - 75% electricity bill reduction for residents, businesses and the Municipality of Chalki (this figure concerns the competitive energy billing part of the provider)
Savings of 1.800 tonnes of CO2
Savings of €215.000 per year for Services of General Interest due to the replacement of thermal production units
€120.000 per year due to non-carbon emission respectively cost = €60/ tn CO2
The beautiful island of Chalki is entering a new era of sustainable development and innovation. From now on it will not only be famous for its natural beauty and hospitable people, but it will be an example of sustainability and green economy, which, with the help of technology, can be applied to other parts of Greece as part of the battle we are fighting to tackle climate change. The benefits for the inhabitants of the island will be significant, since they will enjoy a better quality of life and lower energy costs, while Chalkis will be a new model of ecological tourism and circular economy.
We are moving forward with determination in the decarbonisation of the country and we are showing in practice our will as an island to play a leading role in Europe's vision of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In this effort, we want our island to be an example for others to follow and a centre of innovation. The protection of the island of Chalkis, the safeguarding of its rare environmental footprint, the effort to reduce environmental impacts through the sustainable management of natural resources, with an emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development - with the recipient of the benefits being the citizens - led us to the initiative to create the Green - Smart Island of Chalki. The initiative will bring about new development approaches and economic growth, expansion of the job market for the permanent residents of our island, further promotion of the tourism sector and ultimately an improvement of the quality of life for all of us with practical environmental awareness. Acts of true respect for the place that gave birth to us and the people who inhabit it.
The most important challenge in this whole effort was the legislation as well as the process of completing the required permits from all the involved bodies, as well as the creation of the energy community, a venture unprecedented for our island.
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