The island of Samsø (Denmark) has reinvented itself over just ten years from relying on imported energy, into a self-sufficient exporter of green energy.
The motivation to change was sparked in only a couple of islanders in 1997 and had electrified the whole island by 2007. This amazing transformation was made possible through a commuitment to innovative community engagement. Locals initiated masterplanning, directly invested in green energy solutions, are shareholders in the local energy company, and more.
In 1997, Samsø won a renewable energy competition initiated by the Danish government for its 10-year energy transition masterplan. Implementing the plan began with the creation of the Samsø Energy Company. The islanders invested €2 million in the company, and ten percent of locals became company shareholders.
Today, five of the offshore wind turbines are owned by the municipality, two by inhabitants, and three are in private ownership. Together they produce 110,000 MWh of energy per year – much more than is needed to supply the island’s own energy consumption of 23,000 MWh per year. This enables Samsø to export 87,000 MWh per year to the mainland.
Throughout the years, the reinforced trust and financial benefits generated by the island's renewable energy projects has enabled the development of additional energy installations with the support of the local population and the municipality.
A new video produced as part of the SMARTEES project – in which ICLEI Europe is a partner – shares Samsø's experience, in order to ensure that others can learn from and apply their community engagement practices.
The secret to Samsø’s success? Social innovation.
Søren Hermanssen, one of the movement's initiators and the Director of the Samsø Energy Academy explains, “The fast transition happens, when you connect locality, activity and mentality”. The founders of the movement managed to get people on board by getting them invested in the project – mentally and then financially – thus fostering a sense of belonging and ownership.
For more information, read about the SMARTEES ‘Islands and Renewable Energy’ cluster here.