A hybrid workshop hosted by the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) in July brought together stakeholders from Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides to explore the outcomes of the ISLANDER project and its relevance for accelerating island decarbonisation across Scotland.

The session showcased key results from the five-year pilot on the German island of Borkum, where technologies such as smart energy platforms, hydrogen storage, seawater district heating, and behavioural apps are in the process of being deployed to reduce fossil fuel reliance. Led by Alfredo Gonzalez Naranjo of Ayesa, ISLANDER’s programme lead, the presentation highlighted how Borkum’s integrated systems achieved significant progress in energy self-sufficiency and offered replicable insights for other islands.

EMEC then shared replication strategies developed for Orkney, identifying both opportunities and barriers. These included regulatory constraints, grid access challenges, and the economic viability of storage technologies. Participants from Shetland and the Western Isles echoed similar concerns, particularly around fuel poverty in the islands, curtailment, and the need for community-owned generation.

The workshop fostered discussion on behavioural incentives, localised energy pricing, and the role of advocacy in driving regulatory change. Attendees agreed on the importance of using the ISLANDER replication reports as practical baselines for future projects and policy engagement.

The replication plans for Shetland and the Outer Hebrides produced through the ISLANDER project are due for publication in September, with ICNZ aiming to make them accessible as living documents to support ongoing energy transition efforts.