Energy communities in Mediterranean small islands

After the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Energy Communities are now successfully expanding across the EU Member States, contributing to the energy transition through citizen-led initiatives. At least 8,000 energy communities have been counted across the EU, with many differences between them. This study aims at investigating whether a specific model for Renewable Energy Community (REC) development can be identified for small islands, taking into account the distinctive characteristics of these territories. The energy landscape of islands, however, presents unique challenges for energy planners and policy makers, particularly in the pursuit of decarbonisation. Islands vary in terms of size, population, climate conditions, economic structures, availability of energy resources, grid capacities, and the degree to which they are connected—or isolated—from mainland electricity systems. They also display heterogeneous patterns of energy demand, electricity pricing schemes, and regulatory conditions, often shaped by environmental, aesthetic, or other site specific constraints. These factors collectively create a complex and highly context dependent setting for the design and implementation of sustainable energy transitions on islands. This study examines the barriers and enabling conditions for the deployment of Energy Communities on small Mediterranean islands, drawing on insights from the LIFE ISLET (Innovative Support for Citizen‑Led Local Energy Transition) project.