Cyprus will lose 167,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy in 2024 due to a lack of storage , outraged MPs were told on Tuesday, as households continue to struggle with rising electricity bills.

Members of the House Energy Committee expressed disappointment at the waste of energy that could have been used during peak demand. They also criticized the government for failing to develop a strategy for energy storage and distribution.

During a heated committee meeting, MEPs also called for a digital system to track applications for photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Committee chairman Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis from Disy sharply criticized the government for its “absolute absence of political action.”

He accused key agencies, including the Electricity Authority (EAC) and the Ministry of Energy, of acting independently and without coordination.

“ The government has encouraged people, especially private households, to invest in solar panels ,” said Hadjiyiannis.


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He argued that authorities had failed to balance grid improvements with energy storage, preventing full integration of renewable energy.

Hadjiyiannis also claimed that funds from the Renewable Energy Fund were being misused for electricity interconnections and social policy instead of expanding storage capacity.

Akel MP Costas Costa was also critical, saying that many areas could no longer absorb more solar power due to grid limitations.

"Anyone who has installed solar panels for cost reasons must now expect electricity bills of 300 to 400 euros. Just two months ago it was 60 to 70 euros," says Costa.

The increase was due to forced cuts in photovoltaic power production, he explained.

He blamed previous decisions for the crisis.

“ We have flooded the country with large solar parks and issued new licenses without thinking about the consequences ,” he said, stressing that the blame does not lie with the ordinary consumer.

When asked whether special interests are blocking reforms in the renewable energy sector, Costa hinted at deeper causes. "It's not just about incompetence. It's also about pursuing certain interests."

Diko MP Christos Senekis said MPs had asked the Energy Minister and the EAC for answers on when grid improvements would enable the full use of solar energy.

Dipa MP Michalis Giakoumis, who raised the issue, accused the government of dishonesty. "Depriving consumers who have installed solar panels of renewable energy borders on fraud," he said.

Although the authorities want to announce a storage system, this will only cover large solar parks , not households. The MPs also called for an online application process for photovoltaic systems to ensure transparency.

The government has not yet presented a roadmap for energy storage.

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Source: CyprusMail.com
Author: Charalambos Stylianou