Halki, Rhodes, South Aegean, Greece

🇬🇷 Halki (Χάλκη; Chalce or Chalki) is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, some 9 km (6 mi) west of Rhodes. With an area of 28 km² (11 sq mi), it is the smallest inhabited island of the Dodecanese. It is part of the Rhodes regional unit. The community is divided in two parts, Chorio (Χωριό, also spelled Horio, "Village") and Emporio (Εμποριό, "Market").

History The island supported a much larger population but, following emigration in the mid-20th century, Chorio was almost completely abandoned. A sizable group of the residents moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida, establishing the Greek-American community there that continues to this day. A ruined medieval castle of the Knights of St. John overlooks the old town and the chapel contains some of the original frescoes.

Municipality The Municipality of Chalki includes several uninhabited offshore islands, the largest of which is Alimia to the north-east, and has a total land area of 37.043 square km (14.302 sq mi). The island's primary industry is tourism, although fishing is also substantial. There is virtually no natural water supply on the island and rainfall is collected in large cisterns. Drinking water is brought in from Rhodes, but there can be shortages during the summer months due to the increased population. As of 2014, there is a desalination plant on the island and the water boat no longer comes every few days. However, bottled water still arrives.

Solar power A solar park, currently generating 1.8 gigawatthours of electricity annually, stands as a noteworthy achievement on the island of Halki. Spearheaded by project developer Vassilis Zafiropoulos from Akuo, this initiative is anticipated to markedly diminish the island's carbon footprint, reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 2,576 tonnes—equivalent to the emissions of 617 conventional cars.

Furthermore, the economic impact is substantial, with €260,000 in savings on green energy production. This amount is deemed sufficient to cover the energy costs for over 200 island families, contributing to a remarkable shift toward sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions.

Resulting in zero-euro electricity bills for households on the island, the project has proven particularly advantageous for small businesses, exemplified by a shop in the port reporting substantial savings. A notable testimonial highlights a substantial reduction from €8,000 to €1,500 in annual electricity costs.

Beyond its impact on individual consumers, the project extends its benefits to the transportation sector, offering free electricity for vehicles on the island, including usage by the local police force.

The success of the Halki model has broader implications, as it serves as a blueprint for replication on other islands in Greece, contributing to the widespread adoption of sustainable energy practices and technological advancements for enhanced community well-being.