About us
SIDS Lighthouses initiative
The SIDS Lighthouses initiative (LHI) is a framework for action to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their energy transition efforts from fossil fuel dependence to renewables. The Initiative brings together 38 SIDS as well as 32 partners, including developed countries, regional and international organisations, development and multilateral agencies, private companies, research institutes and non-profit organisations. IRENA is the coordinator and facilitator of the initiative.
Launched at the United Nations Climate Summit in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the SIDS LHI was in response to the strong call to action as an outcome of the Third International Conference on SIDS, the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway urging stakeholders to join forces in supporting the development and implementation of SIDS’s national, regional and inter-regional sustainable energy strategies.
The initial SIDS LHI targets for 2020 of mobilising USD 500 million for renewable energy investment, deployment of 100 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV), 20 MW of new wind power and significant quantities of small hydropower and geothermal energy and ocean energy technology projects; and ensuring that all participating SIDS develop renewable energy roadmaps were achieved and exceeded three years in advance. Furthermore, the revised LHI target of 5 GW of total renewable energy installed capacity in all SIDS by 2023 was also met and exceeded ahead of schedule.
Partners
SIDS Partners
Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Other Partners
Denmark, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation, Clean Energy Solutions Center, Clinton Climate Initiative, ENEL, European Union, Greening the Islands, Island Innovation, Indian Ocean Commission, International Renewable Energy Agency, Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) , Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Pacific Islands Development Forum, Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Power Association, Rocky Mountain Institute - Carbon War Room, Solar Head of State, Sustainable Energy for All, Sur Futuro Foundation, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) , University of Delaware, World Bank
RE PROGRESS
The uptake of renewables in SIDS continues to grow consistently. Installed renewable energy capacity in SIDS has grown from 3.5 GW in 2014 to 5.9 GW in 2020. A record growth of 19.5% was noted between 2018 and 2019 while it decreased to 5.3% between 2019 and 2020 which is due to recurring natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The new installed renewables capacity in 2020 compared to 2019 included 177 MW of solar photovoltaics (PV), 109 MW of bioenergy,10 MW of hydropower and 4 MW of wind while geothermal remained stagnant.
