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The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Lighthouses initiative (LHI) is a framework for action to support SIDS in the transformation from predominantly fossil fuel dependence to a renewables-based and resilient energy system. SIDS LHI brings together 38 SIDS as well as 31 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 2014, the initial LHI targets for 2020 have been met and exceeded ahead of schedule. Taking into consideration the commitments of SIDS and development partners, and the evolution of the energy context, new priority areas and target have been identified and endorsed by partners in a high-level meeting held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2018

The new priority areas of the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative are:

  • Support SIDS in reviewing and implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), extending technical assistance and capacity building where needed.
  • Expand from assessment and planning to implementing effective, innovative solutions, with continued technical and regulatory advisory services to help SIDS overcome the unique challenges they face.
  • Promote all renewable sources, including geothermal and ocean energy, and step up work to integrate solar PV and wind power.
  • Support the development of bankable projects, fostering access to finance and closer co-operation with the private sector.
  • Strengthen institutional and human capacity development in all segments of the renewable energy value chain.
  • Expand focus beyond power generation to include transportation and other end-use sectors.
  • Leverage synergies between renewables and energy efficiency.
  • Reinforce links between renewables and non-energy sectors - including agriculture, food, health and water - to foster broad socio-economic development, as well as raising awareness about job creation, gender equality and women's empowerment through renewable energy development.
  • Link renewable energy uptake to climate resilience and more effective disaster recovery.
  • Enhance collection and dissemination of data and statistics, supporting informed decision-making and effective monitoring.
  • Reinforce and expand partner engagement, leveraging synergies with existing SIDS initiatives and other IRENA co-ordinated platforms, such as the Global Geothermal Alliance, the International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference and the Coalition for Action.
  • Boost renewable power deployment, aiming for a target of ten (10) gigawatts (GW) of total installed RE capacity in all SIDS by 2030

Taking account of the success in reaching its previous targets, the SIDS LHI has revised its 2030 target for installed renewable energy capacity, updating it to 10 GW. This new target has informed the new IRENA-AOSIS Energy Compact, prepared in cooperation by IRENA and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and operationalized by the SIDS LHI. Moreover, this new target will also guide the two other initiatives operationalised by SIDS LHI: the Initiative for Renewable Island Energy (IRIE) and the Ambitious SIDS Climate Action Summit Package.

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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) , World Bank

RE Progress

The strong political commitment of SIDS and the remarkable cost reductions in technologies such as solar PV and onshore wind, coupled with the support of a wide range of partners, have made renewables an affordable solution for countries with limited financing and technical capabilities. Learn more about the current state of renewables and related information in SIDS.

Publications

 

Events

 

Accelerating the development of Offshore Wind and Floating Solar PV
16 December 2021 | Virtual

This webinar on offshore wind and floating solar PV technologies is part of a three- part Technical Webinar Series which aims to promote offshore renewable energy development in SIDS.

Grenada Capacity Building Programme for Energy Management and Energy Audits
14 December 2021 | Virtual

Through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, IRENA, in collaboration with the Energy Division, Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economic Development and Physical Development, Grenada, have developed a Capacity Building Programme for Energy Management and Energy Audits. 

Climate Emergency Finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Transformation
08 November 2021 | AOSIS Pavilion, COP 26, Glasgow, United Kingdom

On Monday 08 November, 2021, The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) hosted a hybrid event at the AOSIS Pavilion at COP26, Glasgow, United Kingdom, entitled Climate Emergency Finance for SIDS Energy Transformation.

Pacific Regional Training on the Assessment of GHG Mitigation Policies and Projects
05 October 2021 | Physical

Through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, IRENA, in collaboration with SPC, is hosting a virtual regional training that aims to strengthen the Pacific SIDS capacity to implement their NDCs and long-term low emission development strategies, by developing participants’ skills in various techniques and methodologies for appraising GHG mitigation policies and projects...

 

Contact

SIDS Lighthouses Initiative is supported and coordinated by the International Renewable Energy Agency.

 
 

Please contact us at
Email: islands@irena.org
Phone: +971 2 417 9000