Cyprus wants to significantly strengthen its electricity supply in the coming years and further expand the share of renewable energies. Energy Minister Michael Damianou announced that several hundred megawatts of battery storage capacity will be installed by the end of 2027. This is primarily intended to use solar power more efficiently and make the power grid more stable.

The announcement was made during a high-level workshop by the Cyprus Confederation of Employers and Industries (OEV), which focused on measures to reduce electricity costs.

Battery storage systems to make

solar power more usable

According to the minister, battery storage systems will absorb surplus solar power in the future and feed it back into the grid at a later date. This could significantly increase the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix and at the same time improve security of supply.

In addition, the government is working with the energy regulator Cera to examine whether additional conventional power generation plants can be put into operation more quickly if necessary. The basis for this would be Article 34 of the Electricity Market Act.

No bottlenecks expected

in the summer

Despite these considerations, the government currently sees no cause for concern. The transmission system operator has confirmed that no supply bottlenecks are expected for the coming summer.

According to Damianou, it will therefore be examined together with the Ministry of Energy and the regulatory authority whether further measures are necessary at all.

The transmission system operator has already concluded contracts for its own battery storage systems. The first plants are expected to arrive in Cyprus in January 2027.

By the summer of 2027, battery storage systems with a capacity of around 120 megawatts are to be installed by the grid operator alone.

The electricity authority EAC is also pushing ahead with its storage projects. In addition, private investors have already received connection commitments for battery storage systems with a capacity of more than 150 megawatts.

According to the energy minister, Cyprus will have several hundred megawatts of storage capacity by the end of 2027. This will significantly accelerate the expansion of solar energy and at the same time improve the stability of the power grid.

, however, Damianou made it clear that battery storage alone is not a complete solution.

On days with low solar radiation, no solar energy can be generated either. Without electricity from photovoltaic systems, batteries could not be charged either.

Nevertheless, modern storage systems would significantly reduce the previously necessary shutdown of solar systems. Both large solar parks and private photovoltaic systems could benefit from this.

central topic of the workshop was the continued high electricity prices in Cyprus.

According to the Minister of Energy, the biggest challenges currently lie in the electricity distribution and billing system. Here, the government is working on technical solutions to reduce costs in the long term.

Fuel prices remain dependent on

world markets

The development of fuel prices was also addressed. Damianou explained that prices continue to be strongly influenced by international markets and in particular by the political situation in the Middle East.

In recent weeks, prices have risen significantly at times, but have since stabilized somewhat. However, Cyprus has little influence on these developments.

OEV President George Pantelides explained that the aim of the workshop was to develop practical measures to reduce energy costs for companies and ultimately for consumers.

In addition, the development of the liberalised electricity market was assessed nine months after its introduction. Alternative energy sources such as natural gas, hydrogen and nuclear energy were also discussed.

Author: Redaktion
Source: Ministry of Energy / CyprusMail.com