From Blue to Green:
- Utopia 500
- Dec 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 16
The example of astypalea
Island Astypalea
Astypalea, often called the butterfly of the Aegean because of its shape, is a Greek island positioned between the Dodecanese and Cyclades, the two island complexes in the southern Aegean Sea. Despite its small population — only 1,376 residents according to the 2021 census — the community is remarkably active. The municipality has demonstrated a strong commitment to development and innovation, continually seeking to evolve into a model for the future.
In 2021, Astypalea became the focus of a Special Pioneer Pilot Project, whose mission is to transform the island into a place powered by clean, sustainable energy and electric transportation, also known as e-transfer, locally. This initiative is redefining not only how the island operates but also how small communities can contribute to Europe’s green transition.
30 before ’30
Astypalea’s transformation is part of the European Commission’s “30 before ’30” program, which includes thirty European islands that aim to achieve complete conversion to green energy by the year 2030. Among them are Lesvos, Psara, Tilos, Madeira, and several others.
Astypalea stands out as one of the most ambitious participants, gaining international recognition for its bold approach to sustainability and the ways in which it merges innovation, governance, and everyday life.
Special Pioneer Pilot Project
The Astypalea Smart and Sustainable Island Project is the result of a collaboration between the Hellenic Republic and Volkswagen Group, marking a partnership that benefits both sides. For Greece, it reflects the country’s broader commitment to becoming a leading EU member state, actively pursuing environmental protection and technological progress.
This pilot initiative has two key aspects — electric mobility and clean energy — both designed to guide the island toward climate neutrality and to serve as a blueprint for other touristic islands seeking to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing quality of life.
First Aspect of the Project: E-Transfer
The primary focus of the project is the transition to cleaner transportation, with support from Volkswagen. This transition involves replacing traditional vehicles with electric alternatives powered by renewable energy sources.
Volkswagen’s participation aligns with its own sustainability goals: the company aims to become a fully climate-neutral manufacturer by 2025, and Astypalea provides a practical example of how this ambition can be achieved.
AstyMOVE and Smart Mobility
One of the most notable outcomes of this collaboration is the introduction of the AstyMOVE app, a digital platform that makes sustainable mobility accessible to everyone on the island.
Through this app, residents and visitors can use AstyGO, a shared mobility service that allows users to rent e-scooters and e-bikes for short periods. The system also includes an option for shared electric “taxis,” encouraging passengers to maximize the use of a single ride, reduce emissions, and promote community-oriented travel.
AstyBUS — Electric Public Transport
In June 2022, another innovation was launched under the AstyMOVE app: AstyBUS, an on-demand minibus service that has quickly become a success story. The fleet includes between six and eight electric buses, depending on the season.
Anyone with a smartphone can easily access the service by booking a ride through the app or by calling the service directly. Users simply choose their pickup point and time — typically between 7 a.m. and midnight, extended until 2 a.m. during the tourist season — and the minibus takes them to their destination.
According to research by the University of the Aegean and the University of Strathclyde, these electric buses have already covered more than 20,000 km and hold an impressive 97% positive user rating.
This electric revolution extends beyond civilian transport. The island’s public services — including ambulances, police vehicles, and municipal cars — have also made the switch to electric power.
Incentives for Citizens
Volkswagen supports residents by offering financial advantages for the purchase of electric vehicles. Simultaneously, the Hellenic Republic complements this effort by providing a 40% discount for those who make the switch.
So far, 1,500 gasoline and diesel vehicles have been replaced by approximately 1,000 electric ones, a milestone that demonstrates how private and public efforts can work hand in hand to accelerate change.
As Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen Group, stated: “Politicians, businesses, and society have a shared responsibility to reduce climate change. Our long-term goal is 100% climate-neutral mobility for all. The Astypalea project will show that this is already possible today. Electric mobility and smart mobility will improve the quality of life while contributing to a carbon-neutral future.”
Second Aspect of the Project: Clean Energy
As mobility becomes electric, the demand for power naturally increases. This is why the second key component of the project focuses on sustainable energy production.
A new hybrid energy station has been designed to meet these needs without relying on the existing thermal (diesel-based) power plant. The hybrid system combines a wind turbine and a solar panel park, capable of generating 3,531 MWh of clean electricity per year. Additionally, a 5 MW energy storage system ensures that power remains stable and available even during periods of peak demand.
The first phase aims to cover 100% of the island’s e-mobility needs and 60% of total electricity demand, while the second phase is expected to raise that figure to 80%.
By doing so, Astypalea will move closer to self-sufficiency, drastically reducing carbon emissions — an estimated 5,700 tons of CO₂ per year that diesel generators would otherwise produce.
Plans also include systems for water cleaning and reuse, made possible by the technological infrastructure of the Pilot Project.
The Role of Citizens
Ultimately, the success of the Astypalea initiative depends on community participation. While the municipality and corporate partners provide infrastructure and incentives, it is the citizens who bring the vision to life — by choosing electric vehicles, embracing new technologies, and supporting the island’s shift to renewable energy.
Astypalea’s story reminds us that sustainability is not achieved solely through technology. It is a collective effort, a shared belief that progress begins with action. Each resident plays a part in shaping the island’s green identity — proof that when innovation meets community spirit, even the smallest places can lead the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.
Written by Ioanna Tzarou
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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PPC. (2025). PPC Group: The “hybrid” island of Astypalea offers a glimpse in the country’s energy future.
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Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. (2023). ABOUT THE PROJECT.
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. (n.d.). Astypalea: Green light for the electric island.
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Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. (2023). Motivation for the citizens of Astypalea. https://www.astypalea-sustainable-island.gr/home/incentives/1_the-residents
The Happy News. (2025). PPC is transforming Astypalea into a model green island.
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