Celebrating International Day of Clean Energy – Winds of Change: How Regional Cooperation is Unlocking Clean Energy

Jan 26, 2026 | IPA Adrion Short Stories

The Day that powers our shared future
Imagine a world with clean air, healthy oceans, and electricity that comes entirely from natural sources like the sun, water and wind. Every January 26th, the global community pauses to celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy. This isn’t just another date on the calendar; it is a global call to shift our energy focus toward nature’s own resources. In a time where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality, clean energy is more than a technical fix; it is our way of growing responsibly so that future generations have a healthy world to live in.

Building on the global spirit of this day, the Interreg IPA ADRION programme provides the common ground for turning “green” aspirations into action. Its funded projects help the region move towards a cleaner tomorrow, where cooperation between diverse actors ensures that every community can successfully transition to a smarter, renewable-led economy.

Projects in Action: Bringing the International Day of Clean Energy to Life
The real transformation begins when we move beyond strategies and start putting them into practice, “unlocking the potential” hidden within our natural world. It is about taking the wind that sweeps across our coasts, the sun that warms our cities, and the tides of our seas, and turning them into a steady stream of clean power. Through the work of specific IPA ADRION projects, like ADRIONWIND, ADRIREC, and GOTOTWIN, these natural gifts are no longer just scenery— as they may become the engines of our regional independence.

ADRIONWIND: Harnessing the Breath of the Sea

The Adriatic and Ionian regions are blessed with vast coastlines and powerful offshore winds that remain a massive, untapped source of clean power. ADRIONWIND transforms this natural gift into a regional asset by building a “Network of Excellence”—a collaborative ecosystem designed to master the complexities of offshore energy.
At its core, the project aims to create a digital platform that serves as a vital hub, bridging the gap between various actors such academia, policymakers and industry. This central point of contact ensures that scientific research and new technologies don’t just stay in the lab but actually reach the market. The projects focuses on knowledge transfer to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). By sharing specialized expertise and technology, the ADRIONWIND empowers local businesses to enter the offshore wind sector, ensuring that the transition to green energy also drives local economic growth and job creation.

ADRIREC: Powering the Ports of Tomorrow

While the wind drives the open sea, ADRIREC focuses on the heartbeat of the region: its maritime ports. The project’s mission is to create a carbon-neutral and better-connected Adriatic-Ionian area by transforming ports into Renewable Energy Communities. This ensures that the clean energy transition benefits not only the maritime industry but also the local communities surrounding these hubs.
To move from theory to practice, ADRIREC has launched a Digital Toolkit that provides port authorities with practical advice and calculation tools to measure their renewable energy potential. Along with this tool, a Common Transnational Strategy is being developed on three sectors: photovoltaics, cold ironing (shore-side power for docked ships), and smart grids for more efficient energy management. Both instruments will be tested on the ground with the ultimate goal, of preparing Adriatic-Ionian ports to become low-carbon energy leaders for the entire region.

GOTOTWIN: A Virtual Mirror for Smarter Energy

To ensure that every resource is used effectively, GOTOTWIN uses advanced technology to help the region adopt solar, wind, and water power. The heart of the project is the “Digital Twin”—a sophisticated virtual model that acts like a mirror of a real-world energy system. This allows experts to test different scenarios on a screen to see what works best before making changes in real life.

To make sure that these virtual ideas work in reality, the project aims to create “Living Labs.” These are real-life testing grounds where the technology is used to identify improvements and make energy systems more efficient. Because new technology can be complex, GOTOTWIN also focuses on learning. Through workshops and training, the project shares its knowledge with local experts. Finally, it provides a roadmap for the future, helping to clear away policy hurdles and raise awareness about how digital technology is the key to a cleaner region.

As we celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy, these projects prove that the transition to a sustainable future is built on cooperation. Moreover, the use of digital innovation to exploit the energy potential of natural resources, help secure a resilient and independent future for all, ensuring a cleaner, smarter world for generations to come.

Latest news