Feature Reports
Energy on Islands: Three Case Studies
Summary Energy on Islands: Three Case Studies

Islands, whose size can range from a few square kilometers to the equivalent of a whole country, have certain features in common. Their fossil fuel resources are often meager, forcing them to rely on expensive fuel imports. Their electricity needs are generally increasing due to higher standards of living and, in certain cases, growing populations. And their tourism levels are often booming, which is clearly beneficial for the economy but requires a lot of energy. This feature report studies three clearly distinct cases :
- The island of Samsø in Denmark, which has set out to become a laboratory of ideas and new behaviors.
- Réunion Island, which has set itself the goal of increased energy independence.
- Madagascar, the “Big Island”, which is highly sensitive to the effects of global warming.