Tilos Island – The first island to be self-sufficient in electricity from renewable energy

The beautiful island of Tilos in the Aegean Sea (Greece) has become the first island in the world to be completely self-sufficient in electricity from renewable energy sources and to produce zero waste.

Applying technology to waste treatment

Located 15 hours away by ferry from the mainland, Tilos is one of Greece’s most remote islands. It covers just over 60 square kilometers and has a population of just over 700. This makes providing electricity and storing waste a major challenge for the locals. However, these challenges have made Tilos more willing to experiment with new development initiatives.

In 2021, the local government, together with Polygreen - a company specializing in circular economy solutions - launched the Just Go Zero waste management project. The project focuses on sorting and collecting waste from door to door, diverting residual waste from landfills and moving towards permanently closing all landfill facilities.

The waste is taken to the Circular Innovation Center (3K) - equipped with high-tech waste treatment solutions - for further sorting before being recycled or composted. Some of the waste is used as an alternative fuel for the cement industry.

Beautiful, trash-free Tilos Island (Photo: Positive News)

Before the Just Go Zero project began, the average person on Tilos generated 770kg of waste per year. That figure has now dropped to 440kg. Ninety percent of the island’s waste is collected and recycled. All landfills have been shut down.

Mayor Maria Kamma-Aliferi said the project had brought about positive changes that had a profound impact on both the environment and the local community. “Waste management and recycling initiatives have been enhanced, reducing plastic and other non-biodegradable waste. This not only beautifies the island but also protects fragile ecosystems and marine life,” she said.

The project has created new job opportunities related to renewable energy installations, ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, Maria added. In addition, the project has contributed to tourism development, attracting a large number of environmentally conscious visitors, promoting local businesses.

Any visitor to Tilos must participate in the project. Hotels have special equipment for sorting waste, and visitors can pick up cloth shopping bags from the Zero Point information center.

Use 100% clean energy

Islands are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of their limited land area, making it more difficult to store and manage resources. Faced with the effects of rising sea levels caused by global warming, islands must take action. Therefore, becoming an energy efficient island is key to helping avoid the impacts of climate change.

Tilos Island exploits and uses solar and wind energy (Photo: Positive News)

Tilos has long since replaced fossil fuels as its energy source. Tilos has invested heavily in the construction of wind and solar farms. Solar panels located in the center of the island have a maximum capacity of 400kW. In addition, wind power facilities generate an estimated 800kW of energy. With the advantage of more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Tilos is completely self-sufficient in electricity thanks to both wind and solar power systems. By being completely self-sufficient with clean and renewable energy sources, Tilos significantly reduces CO2 emissions as well as electricity bills for islanders.

Any unused renewable energy will be stored in batteries, which can be used for other activities, contributing to the development of Tilos. For example, Tilos builds charging stations for electric vehicles and provides them for free, uses backup solar energy to light up the promenades and city buildings. Tilos even makes a profit by selling excess energy to the Greek Public Cooperation Organization (DEI).

“This energy project is the result of many years of development. It has turned us into the first energy-independent, green island in the Mediterranean,” said Mayor Maria.

In addition, Tilos Island replaces traditional diesel vehicles with electric or hybrid vehicles including cars, scooters...

Khoi Nguyen