Energy transitions on European islands: Exploring technical scenarios, markets and policy proposals in Denmark, Portugal and the United Kingdom

The energy transition is taking place across the globe and renewable energy facilities are flourishing in many places. Yet, to achieve this transition to a carbon-free economy, fit-for-purpose social and institutional set-ups are just as needed as the technical transition itself. While new energy market regulations and policy designs are proposed, the alignment of these for the transition on remote places like islands is limited. Based on technical scenarios for the transition of three European islands, this article investigates market and policy proposals that will support their technical energy transitions in a socially inclusive way. It is based on a literature study of five policy areas in combination with local stakeholders' engagement and their responses to the suggested proposals. The paper presents a comparative study and design approach for Samsø (Denmark), Orkney (United Kingdom) and Madeira (Portugal), but with transcendent solutions and replicability to other islands, placing them in the global debate on energy policy transitions. Results point to a misalignment between national policies and the policies that would actually support islands' green transition. The recommendations therefore propose to tailor energy relevant policies for islands.