The Islands Energy Agency starts operations
The Islands Energy Agency (EISEA) is an NGO that aims to make energy use on the islands more sustainable, easier on the wallet, and environmentally friendly. We also strive to support island economies with new smart energy solutions.
EISEA helps local authorities, communities and businesses to implement projects aimed at making energy use and generation more sustainable and reducing carbon emissions.
EISEA was founded by the municipalities of the islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormsi and Kihnu, the entrepreneurs’ association of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, the Saare Development Centre and the Tallinn University of Technology.
“The problems and limitations related to energy issues on the islands are relatively similar, but the potential and opportunities are different. EISEA helps businesses, municipalities, communities and cooperatives to overcome the limitations, find the necessary technical solutions and raise capital for projects by providing advisory services. Anyone is welcome to contact SEA’s specialists for help and advice,” said Sulev Alajõe, EISEA director.
Municipalities can get support from EISEA to renovate public buildings, upgrade district heating, make transport fossil-free, implement renewable energy projects, attract investment, and organise information events and training. Businesses will be assisted in resource efficiency planning, and fleet emission reduction and renewable energy projects. Communities will receive assistance for forming energy cooperatives and advice on renovating apartment buildings. A training programme will be developed for school leavers.
“To keep up to date with modern energy developments, we work with educational and research institutions and the European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and Development, FEDAREN. In addition, we are participating in Europe’s Baltic Sea Energy Islands renewable energy programme,” Alajõe added.
EISEA is the second regional energy agency in Estonia to be founded after the Tartu Regional Energy Agency (TREA). EISEA and TREA operate on similar principles, but EISEA is guided by the specific needs of the islands, which have a great deal of low-density settlement and poorer electricity supply compared to the mainland. The potential for renewable energy means that much more attention needs to be paid to local energy generation.
EISEA’s activities are funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, by EISEA’s founders and through the provision of various services.