Saba’s energy independence is crucial for its economic stability and resilience. A sustainable, renewable energy grid can better protect the island from severe weather events, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.
Building on this vision of self-sufficiency, Saba is advancing toward its 2030 target of 100% renewable energy, supported by the EU under the Global Gateway priorities. By expanding clean energy technologies, the island is delivering affordable, reliable power and greater protection against economic, social and environmental challenges.
Our partnership also supports a range of initiatives from coral reef restoration to reforestation, protecting the island’s rich terrestrial and marine ecosystems, while investing in education and skills development for the local community.
Together, we are Partners in Change.
Discover the achievements of our cooperative projects.
Clean energy for EU islands
The Clean energy for EU islands (CE4EUI) is a European Commission initiative supporting the clean energy transition of over 2,400 inhabited European islands. Saba is among the participants in the third phase of CE4EUI, one of 30 islands or island groups receiving three years of technical support to advance toward the ambitious goal of achieving full energy independence through 100% renewable sources by 2030.
RESEMBID
The ReLeaf Saba reforestation project, implemented under RESEMBID, has helped to restore hurricane-damaged areas, increase native and fruit tree populations, enhance biodiversity, and protect reefs by reducing erosion and sediment runoff. Beyond planting trees, the project carried out outreach activities, emphasising youth engagement to foster environmental stewardship from an early age.
BEST Initiative
The BEST Initiative aims to preserve and restore biodiversity in the EU’s outermost regions (ORs) and OCTs. In Saba, it contributed to sustaining the ecological and economic roles of the coral reefs by addressing the critical issue of algae overgrowth and restoring degraded reef areas through autonomous coral nurseries and coral fragment relocation. It also helped establish a national park in the island’s northern region, integrating natural, cultural and historical elements for sustainable tourism.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+, the EU programme supporting education, youth and sport, promotes cooperation in higher education and educational programmes for students and teachers in Saba. Past projects have included international student exchanges focused on water and nature, as well as opportunities for teachers to engage in knowledge exchange and further develop their professional skills.
Saba is a Dutch Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) in the Caribbean region. Saba is a public entity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having gained this status after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in October 2010. Together with the OCTs Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, it forms the Caribbean Netherlands. The total population totalled 1 911 inhabitants in 2022. Its economy is highly dependent on tourism and the services sectors, largely revolving around the Saba University School of Medicine.
Our priorities
The current framework of EU cooperation with Saba is set in the Decision on the Overseas Association including Greenland (DOAG) adopted on 5 October 2021, which aims to support the government in its efforts to promote sustainable development.
For the 2021-2027 period, the sector of intervention continues to be sustainable and resilient energy (EUR 4.1 million), where the focus is on further expanding investments in renewable energy through an additional 1MW of windmills and/or photovoltaic solar power and introducing energy efficiency measures, thereby supporting Saba’s ambition to have a climate neutral energy production and to decarbonise its energy mix by 2030.
The choice of supporting sustainable and resilient energy is in line with the goals and cooperation areas set out by the DOAG. Furthermore, it is one of the top priorities of the European Commission, linked to the objectives of the Green Deal and to Global Gateway investment priorities, especially when it comes to investment in clean energy. Clean, affordable, and secure energy is an essential factor for decarbonising the economy through tapping into renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. It will also enhance the role of the EU as a partner of reference for Saba to tangibly advance on the climate action agenda. By improving the energy connectivity and sustainable growth of Saba, our action on renewables/clean energy could also increase its potential as gateway towards its neighbours.
Our impact
The EU (under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) territorial programme of EUR 3.55 million), jointly with the Netherlands, invested in new solar parks of a capacity of one megawatt (1MW) in Saba, which are operational since 2019. This substantially improved the energy mix of Saba in favour of renewable energies, achieving a 40% renewable energy coverage and bringing Saba closer to its goal of 100% renewable energy.
Our programmes
Cooperation with Saba is mainly channelled through territorial cooperation programmes (which focused for the 11th EDF and 2021-27 on renewable energy).
In addition, Saba benefits from regional cooperation through the 11th EDF Caribbean regional programme (RESEMBID, EUR 42.67 million) on resilience, sustainable energy, and marine biodiversity and from the 2021-2027 Caribbean regional programme (EUR 21 million) on the sustainable management of Caribbean OCT’s natural capital. For the period 2021-2027 the regional Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Caribbean OCTs was adopted in November 2022. The focus will be the strategic themes of intervention of biodiversity, water management and food security.
Saba is also participating in the 11th EDF all-OCTs thematic programme (Green Overseas-GO, EUR 17.8 million) on sustainable energy and enhanced resilience to climate change. The programme will finance technical assistance, studies, pilot projects and trainings for the beneficiaries individually and in thematic clusters.
Moreover, Saba, as part of the BES Islands (Dutch Caribbean Islands) with Sint Eustatius and Bonaire, is among the 30 selected Clean energy for EU islands aiming to achieve complete energy independence by 2030. The island is committed to transition its fossil fuel electricity production to more renewable energy production since 2018.
Saba will also be eligible for the DOAG’s dedicated intra-regional envelop for all OCTs and for the period 2021-2027 (EUR 15 million). Intraregional cooperation is a vital aspect of the EU's approach to OCTs, as it promotes closer ties and collaboration notably with neighbouring countries, outermost regions, and regional organisations through pilot actions.
OCTs, including Saba, can also take part in other EU funding programmes, as a matter of principle, such as TAIEX/Twinning, InvestEU, LIFE, Horizon Europe, and Erasmus+. Saba participated in 3 ERASMUS+ project during the period 2014-2020. OCTs can also benefit from the thematic part and rapid response actions of the NDICI as well from the Humanitarian Aid Instrument. Caribbean OCTs can also participate in the Caribbean Interreg programme for 2021-2027.
Finally, youth from Saba are participating in the OCT-Youth Network which aims to increase the ties between young people living in OCTs and the European Union and enhance the knowledge and involvement of young people in the EU-OCT partnership.
Documents
- 8 MARCH 2022
- 21 NOVEMBER 2022
- 29 NOVEMBER 2024
- 21 NOVEMBER 2022