Led by the Réunion Region, the European project REMOTE – Reshaping Energy Models for Outermost Territories – marks an important milestone for the energy future of the European Union’s Outermost Regions (ORs). With European funding of €1.4 million for the 7 partners, it aims to accelerate the energy transition towards 100% renewable systems in territories often facing isolation, energy dependence and unique geographical constraints.
Unprecedented cooperation between Outermost Regions
For the first time, REMOTE brings together a wider group of overseas territories: the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, French Guiana, Mayotte, Saint-Martin, alongside Reunion Island, the project lead. Guadeloupe and Martinique are also associated with the project.
This strategic alliance makes it possible to share good practices, harmonise approaches and build a shared vision of the energy transition in the European Outermost Regions, which are not connected to a large-scale electricity grid as in continental Europe.
The project, officially signed at the 29th Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions in April 2025, will run until April 2029
Transforming regional policies to strengthen energy autonomy
REMOTE’s central challenge is clear: to develop more decentralised, sustainable and resilient regional policies, capable of eventually leading territories towards 100% renewable energy autonomy.
Since 2025, the project has been based on several key technical workstreams:
- Analysis of collective energy governance models;
- Exploration of citizen participation mechanisms;
- Study on the decentralisation of energy systems;
- Identification of the legislative, economic and sectoral obstacles hindering the transition in island territories.
- Proposing a common voice for the Outermost Regions at European level on key energy issues
The key role of Énergies Réunion
Alongside the Réunion Region, Énergies Réunion provides its operational and technical expertise to deliver REMOTE’s ambitions. Its missions cover several areas:
- Coordination and support for the technical, administrative and financial management of the European project
- Co-construction of public policies and development of innovative governance tools;
- Contribution to technical studies, particularly on microgrids, storage and renewable generation;
- Mobilisation of local stakeholders, in close liaison with the other Outermost Regions.
Énergies Réunion acts as a bridge between regional strategy, local needs and European experience.
Concrete benefits for overseas territories
In the long term, REMOTE aims to deliver significant progress:
- Accelerating the Outermost Regions’ progress towards energy autonomy;
- Improving energy governance and citizen involvement;
- Reducing the regulatory and economic barriers hindering the transition;
- Reducing fuel poverty and inequalities across territories;
- Strengthening cooperation in research and innovation, adapted to island constraints.
A key project led by Reunion Island
By taking on the role of lead partner, the Réunion Region asserts its leadership in the island and European energy transition. REMOTE is not only a lever for innovation but also a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation between territories facing the same challenges.
This collective dynamic, coordinated by Énergies Réunion, paves the way for solutions that are more resilient, more sustainable and closer to local realities, serving a renewable energy future for Reunion Island and all the Outermost Regions.
