Rolando Antonio Gilbert Zequera, the Western Estonian Islands: Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormsi, Kihnu and Ruhnu

Meet Rolando Antonio Gilbert Zequera – Nominated by the Estonian Islands Energy Agency (EISEA)

Supporting Estonia’s energy transition efforts

Originally from Mexico, Rolando works at the Estonian Islands Energy Agency (EISEA), where he joined in January 2026 as an Energy Storage and Transportation Consultant.

At EISEA, Rolando leads cross-sector initiatives that accelerate the transition towards digitally enabled, resilient energy systems. His work combines technical expertise, innovation and strategic vision to translate emerging technologies into scalable solutions that support energy communities and regional transformation.

EISEA is supporting the transition of Western Estonia’s islands from fossil-fuel-dependent transport systems towards flexible, electrified and digitally managed mobility ecosystems powered by local renewable energy resources.

Driving integrated energy, mobility and regional resilience

A key aspect of Rolando’s leadership is transforming complex technical, economic and digitalisation challenges into strategic insights and investment-ready recommendations that enable informed decisions by energy companies, public authorities, investors and other stakeholders.

His work focuses on shaping interconnected energy and mobility ecosystems that combine innovation, digitalisation and strategic infrastructure planning. Through AI-enabled solutions and intelligent energy management, he supports decarbonisation, resilience and greater energy autonomy in island communities.

Developing resilient energy solutions for island communities

One project Rolando is particularly proud of is the proposed READY4ENERGY project submitted under the HORIZON Innovation Actions call.

Within this project, he led the development of the Saaremaa pilot concept: a municipal resilience hub designed to strengthen energy security and maintain critical services during grid disruptions. By combining renewable energy, storage, digital management and future-ready mobility solutions, the initiative demonstrates a scalable model for climate adaptation and regional resilience.

The concept provides EISEA with a scalable model for strengthening energy resilience across island and rural municipalities in the Baltic and Nordic regions, enabling communities to enhance autonomy, adaptability,and long-term sustainability.

Creating more sustainable mobility systems

Rolando identifies structural mobility challenges in island communities, including dispersed populations, limited connectivity and reliance on private vehicles.

He envisions future mobility systems that are adaptive, resilient and sustainable, capable of connecting dispersed communities, withstanding operational disruptions and supporting the transition towards low-carbon regional development.

Looking ahead, Rolando envisions communities where mobility, energy and public services operate as connected ecosystems that enhance accessibility, reduce reliance on private vehicles and strengthen sustainability and resilience.

Why the Emerging Leaders program?

Rolando discovered the EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders program through a newsletter shared by his organisation. He selected the program as a strategic extension of his work at the intersection of energy transformation, digital innovation, sustainable mobility and regional resilience.

Through the program, he aims to expand his leadership capabilities, advance his expertise in collaborative project development and investment mobilisation, and accelerate his ability to deliver transformative regional initiatives

Scaling innovation into energy transition impact

By developing these capabilities, Rolando aims to strengthen EISEA’s capacity to translate strategic ambitions into scalable impact. His ambition is to bridge innovation, investment and implementation, enabling transformative initiatives to deliver lasting value for communities and stakeholders.