A preparatory action plan proposed by former Prime Minister Alfred Sant to make islands within the European Union front-runners on clean energy transition has been approved by the European Commission.

The commission published the first interim report on the implementation of the plan.

If successful, the project can become a permanent EU instrument.

Its ultimate aim is to help islands move to the production of electricity from local clean energy sources and become autonomous, to the greatest possible extent, in energy supply.

It was proposed by Dr Sant, an MEP, last August with the support of S&D Croatian MEP Tonino Picula and S&D Italian (Sicilian) MEP Michela Giuffrida.

The Commission will work in close cooperation with core member states and islands’ local authorities with the aim of implementing the initiative.

A European Energy Islands Forum will be established to showcase advances, encourage networking, share experiences and transfer knowledge and know-how to the islands themselves. The forum will also allow technology providers to reach potential clients.

The Commission is expected to publish a second report with the draft budget for 2018.

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