Eco-Programme for Gotland

On 14 October 1996 the Municipal Council of Gotland passed the Eco-programme for Gotland. Accordingly, the municipality's goal is that the island should become a Zero-Emission Zone. Also 'Gotland is to become a ecologically sustainable society within the course of a generation'. The programme includes conditions for achieving these overall aims. As far as energy is concerned, the aim is to implement a programme by 2025 whereby energy will be produced from renewable sources on Gotland to match 100% of the islands energy consumption. We also intend to reduce our annual needs to 3800 GWh through energy eificiency measures, while during the same time increasing the islands population and improving our living standard.

Among the aims of the programme there are:

• "Gotlandic dependence upon fossil carbon resources shall decrease to a level compatible with long term climate stability. Fossil fuels shall be replaced with renewable energy."
• "Gotlandic renewable energy shall be developed until it suifices for all the necessary functions of society."
• "Buildings shall be designed in such a way that the need for energy supply for heat and light be minimised. The Gotlandic renewable energy shall suifice for all household needs."
• "Equipment shall be selected so as to minimise the need for energy supply for technical purposes."

To achieve the goals, the biomass fuelled district heating has been extended. The island's most energy demanding industry has made large energy savings. A widespread energy eificiency programme has been carried out also in the municipality's building stock. In Visby this has lead to the reduction of the energy consumption in municipal buildings app. by 20%. The new Visby central library has been designed to use solar energy and sea-water based cooling and has achieved a reduction of energy use of 50% compared to local standard. Also, on other municipal buildings and sports facilities the solar panels (PV and thermal) have been installed. Furthermore, the windpower covers now nearly 20% of electricity demand on Gotland. In addition to that, RME fuel is available across the island and new cars in the municipal fleets can run on biodiesel or ethanol.

There are still some remaining barriers to overcome, e.g. public resistance from summer house owners, a weak electricity grid on suitable windpower locations or lack of awareness of the regional benefits of local RES production within certain sectors.

by Mr Bertil Klintbom