Highlights from the Workshop on “Energy Transition in Touristic Destinations: “The Challenges in European Islands” held on September 26th in Rhodes, Greece.

1️⃣ Opening Remarks: Petros Markopoulos, Head of the Clean Energy and Sustainable Transport Department of DAFNI Network, kicked off the day with a compelling presentation on “The Clean Energy Transition of the Greek Islands: Challenges and Good Practices.”

2️⃣ Educational Focus: Prof. Nelly Leligou from University of West Attica emphasized the importance of “Educating All Actors on the Challenge of the Energy Transition,” highlighting the need for comprehensive training and awareness.

3️⃣ Local Challenges: Adrián Fernández Vázquez, an Industrial Engineer from the Tenerife Energy Transition Office, shared insights into the unique challenges faced by Tenerife in its journey towards sustainable energy.

4️⃣ Engineering Perspectives: Mary Papandreou, Civil Engineer and MSc Director of the HIT Branch of the South Aegean Region, presented on “Energy Transition in Touristic Destinations,” addressing both opportunities and obstacles in the context of tourism.

5️⃣ Project Overview: Prof. Elisa Peñalvo-López, representing Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), introduced the GENERA project to all attendees and outlined the key challenges it aims to tackle in promoting energy transition across European islands.

To conclude the workshop, Mayors Evangelos Fragkakis, Marcos Serra Colomar, EFSTATHIOS KONTOS, Vaios Kalopitas, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), showcasing their commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives in their regions.

A big thank you to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions! Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable energy future in our beautiful island destinations.