Energy policy and an action plan for renewable energy sources (RES) for the Hellenic islands of the North Aegean region

The resource base for RES is vast, but only a small fraction is being explo ited with available technology. The full potential of RES for the European Union (EU) is estimated at 408 Mtoe by 2020. Here, we review data on energy supplies and demand with emphasis on RES and also assess the potential for energy conservation by using RES in remote regions. Our case study deals w ith the Hellenic islands of the North Aegean region. These islands have a h igh RES potential because of their dependence on external energy sources, a bsence of control over fossil-fuel costs and periodic power shortages, espe cially during summers when energy demands peak as a result of tourism. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.