VIS 2026VIS 2026 — Virtual Island Summit|Also: GSIS 2027GSIS 2027
Island Innovation Logo
About
Services
The Network
Events
Content Library
Contact Us

Subscribe to our newsletter. By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Island Innovation

Island Innovation works with governments, institutions, and partners worldwide to support island-led sustainable economic development.

We Support The UN Development Goals

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Explore

AboutServicesNetworkEvents

Content

ArticlesNewsCareers

Ready to Connect?

Join the island innovation community

Get in Touch

About

  • About us
  • Case Studies
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Careers
  • Contact

Services

  • Services Overview
  • Public & Media Relations
  • Strategic Communications

Network

  • The Island Network
  • Academic Council
  • Newsletter

Events

  • Our Events
  • Watch Past Events

Content

  • All Content Library
  • Videos
  • Articles
  • News
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceContactManage email preferences

© 2025 Island Innovation. All rights reserved.

    News

    Curated stories and analysis from islands and sustainability leaders worldwide.

    Filter by Core Theme

    All ThemesCircular EconomyClimate ActionConnectivity & DigitizationCulture & CommunityEnergy & TransportGreen Finance & EconomyOcean & BiodiversityPolicy & GovernanceTourism & Remote WorkWater & Food
    Showing 9 of 171 news items in Energy & Transport
    Public hospital in Lanzarote, Canary Islands launches geothermal heating and cooling system
    Energy & TransportJanuary 15, 2026

    Public hospital in Lanzarote, Canary Islands launches geothermal heating and cooling system

    Photo Credit: Gobierno de Canarias, via thinkgeoenergy.com Excerpt from thinkgeoenergy.com The Melina Orosa Hospital (El Hospital Molina Orosa) in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands has launched a 1002-kW geothermal facility that provides air conditioning, heating, and domestic hot water to the facility. This is the first installation of its kind in a public hospital in the Canary Islands and is a major step forward in the decarbonization strategy of the Canary Islands Health Services (Servicio Canario de la Salud / SCS). The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, the Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, and the Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano H. Zapata, recently visited the new low-enthalpy geothermal plant, expressing support for the project and remarking on its significance for the region’s sustainability and energy security efforts.

    Read more
    12345678910
    Tenerife impulsa exploraciones geotérmicas con la exigencia de mano de obra local
    Energy & TransportJanuary 15, 2026

    Tenerife impulsa exploraciones geotérmicas con la exigencia de mano de obra local

    Excerpt and Photo Credit: atlanticohoy.com El Cabildo de Tenerife ha respaldado unánimemente este viernes los sondeos de exploración geotérmica en la isla y ha solicitado que las entidades involucradas se comprometan formalmente a garantizar medidas como la evaluación del impacto ambiental y la prioridad en la contratación de mano de obra local. El pleno de la corporación insular ha aprobado una moción institucional en la que se reitera el respaldo al proyecto de sondeos de exploración geotérmica en la isla por su importancia estratégica para avanzar hacia un modelo energético más sostenible, seguro y eficiente.

    Read more
    Maldives to Get Electric Water Taxis to Boost Cleaner Island Transportation
    Energy & TransportJune 17, 2026

    Maldives to Get Electric Water Taxis to Boost Cleaner Island Transportation

    The Maldives will receive 100 electric water taxis over the next three years in a boost for a "cleaner, quieter, and more scalable" model for island transportation. It will also help the island nation, known for its rich luxury tourism, reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, according to a statement by US-based Navier, a maritime technology company, which is collaborating with the UAE-based JIH Global Investment for the project. "The partnership will establish the Navier Network in the Maldives, a software-driven sustainable maritime corridor designed to connect airports, resorts, private villas, and local islands through a fleet of high-performance hydrofoil vessels. The broader partnership represents an expected fleet value of approximately $100 million," said the statement released early June. The island nation will see the initial rollout of five Navier N30 vessels in 2026, as well as up to 95 additional vessels to be deployed over the next three years.

    Read more
    Renewable Island: Ireland marks a century of pioneering in clean energy
    Energy & TransportMay 21, 2026

    Renewable Island: Ireland marks a century of pioneering in clean energy

    Excerpt and Photo Credit from irishexaminer.com Since the commissioning of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant in 1929, Ireland has a long history of commitment to investment in green energy Ireland’s leadership in renewable energy is not new. The commissioning of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant in 1929 placed the State among the pioneers of large-scale renewable generation.  Nearly a century later, that legacy remains in operation, contributing a modest but symbolic share of national capacity. Yet it is onshore wind that now defines Ireland’s renewable energy landscape, both in scale and in strategic importance. With more than 300 operational wind farms and over 5GW of installed capacity, onshore wind is, by a considerable margin, the most mature form of intermittent renewable electricity deployed in Ireland today.

    Read more
    Climate authority wants to use existing utility poles for EV charging points
    Energy & TransportMay 12, 2026

    Climate authority wants to use existing utility poles for EV charging points

    Excerpt from maltatoday.com.mt Existing utility poles could be utilised as charging points for electric vehicles, according to a pre-market consultation by the Climate Action Authority.  “This initiative seeks to boost electric mobility by enhancing access to charging stations in communities and common areas,” said Abigail Cutajar, the authority's CEO. “It reaffirms the commitment in Malta’s ongoing efforts to electrify transportation.” The projects' initiatives to promote Malta’s shift to sustainable and clean mobility include the expansion of single-phase slow AC electric vehicle recharging stations, known as trickle chargers, applied on existing utility poles in residential public areas and other key locations where vehicles are often parked for extended periods.

    Read more
    Geothermal Energy Drilling in Tenerife Set to Begin in January
    Energy & TransportDecember 15, 2025

    Geothermal Energy Drilling in Tenerife Set to Begin in January

    Excerpt from tenerifeweekly.com Geothermal Resource Exploration The Cabildo of Tenerife will commence geothermal surveys in January to locate energy resources beneath the island. Juan José Martínez, the island’s Innovation Councillor, stated that preparations are underway to make the search feasible. Significant Implications for Energy Paradigm “If the surveys to find geothermal sources are successful, we will radically change the energy paradigm of Tenerife,” remarked Martínez during the presentation of the area’s budget on Monday, 24 November. The budget for renewable energies in 2026 includes nearly €35 million for this endeavour.

    Read more
    Curacao’s Microgrid Shows How Small Island Nations Can Decarbonize
    Energy & TransportDecember 15, 2025

    Curacao’s Microgrid Shows How Small Island Nations Can Decarbonize

    Photo credit: Markus Matzel / ullstein bild via Getty Images / Forbes.com Excerpt from forbes.com A couple of weeks ago, Hurricane Melissa barreled through the Caribbean, knocking out power for tens of thousands and exposing the fragility of island energy systems. For countries like Curacao, the stakes are high: from 1970 to 2020, small island developing states (SIDS) lost $153 billion due to weather extremes, a figure that dwarfs their average GDP of $13.7 billion. The event underscores a growing imperative—these nations must decarbonize while ensuring reliable power to withstand climate shocks. The solution may come in the form of a flexible microgrid model deployed in Curacao, which combines renewable energy with battery storage and engine-based power plants. The approach, led by Wärtsilä Energy, could serve as a blueprint for SIDS and other vulnerable regions worldwide.

    Read more
    Singapore to become first country to tax air passengers on aviation fuel
    Energy & TransportDecember 8, 2025

    Singapore to become first country to tax air passengers on aviation fuel

    Excerpt from independent.co.uk Singapore will become the first country to charge air passengers a green fuel tax as part of ongoing decarbonisation efforts. From 1 October 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will introduce a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) charge for travellers departing the country. The SAF levy will apply to all tickets or services sold from 1 April 2026, including cargo shipments and business flights.

    Read more
    Aruba Oil Refinery: San Nicolas Site's Sustainable Future
    Energy & TransportNovember 27, 2025

    Aruba Oil Refinery: San Nicolas Site's Sustainable Future

    Excerpt from curacaochronicle.com “For nearly a century, the refinery was the beating heart of Aruba’s industrial era,” said Eman. “Generations of Arubans built their lives around this facility. But the future demands courage. Today, we close this chapter not only with memories of the refinery’s contribution, but with a renewed conviction to open a new chapter of innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.” The San Nicolas refinery played a crucial role during World War II, serving as one of the main fuel suppliers for the Allied forces. Aruba has formally requested technical assistance from the Dutch government to ensure the safe dismantling and decontamination of the site, as well as support in preparing international tenders for the area’s redevelopment. Prime Minister Schoof, who visited Aruba after attending the COP30 Climate Conference in Brazil, praised the AVP–Futuro government for its bold and forward-looking decision. “This is not an easy step, but a historic and crucial moment for Aruba,” he said. “The island is showing true leadership — transforming what once powered the world into a new source of renewal and opportunity.” The Dutch government will contribute €53.6 million — nearly Afl. 110 million — to a special Energy Transition Fund to strengthen and modernize Aruba’s electricity grid and renewable energy infrastructure.

    Read more