Through cross-sector cooperation, Samsø - already self-sufficiently powered by renewable energy - anticipates complete independence from fossil fuels by 2030.
Having already made the island 100% self-sufficient with renewable energy, Samsø is now taking on a new challenge: making the island completely free of fossil fuels. Despite Samsø’s status as a Renewable Energy Island (Vedvarende Energi-Ø), fossil fuels are still largely consumed – especially for transport, but also for heating homes. With Samsø’s new master plan, drawn up in close cooperation with the NGO, the Energy Academy (Energiakademiet), the foundations have been laid to completely wean Samsø o fossil fuels by 2030. In a unique collaboration, Samsø’s citizens and organizations have been involved in the project, which has helped optimize household energy efficiency.
100%
OF SAMSØ'S ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION COMES FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES
Samsø has sourced 100% of their electricity needs from renewable energy by installing four new district heating plants and 21 wind turbines, as well as bringing in many other technology replacements. By 2030, the island expects that all transport will be be powered by renewable energy and that installations of major electricity-to-heat-solutions will be able to supplant biomass from district heating plants. This biomass can be used to form biogas which, in turn, will power the municipally-owned ferry.
In Samsø, it is time to raise the bar. The Samsingers will make the island fossil free by 2030.
How the Global Goals are addressed
Affordable and Clean Energy
From 1997 to 2015, the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption on Samsø rose from 13% to 99.6%. This increase was due to a shift to sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
The local community of Samsø has taken ownership for creating a sustainable island community. This means that the citizens today work with all the island's resource circuits.
Partnerships for the Goals
From 1997 to today, Samsø's master plans for the island's sustainable conversion have fostered cooperation between the municipality, organizations, companies, citizens and international partners.
Samsø Municipality
Samsø municipality is comprised of the island of Samsø and a number of small surrounding islands.
Global Goals addressed