In a decisive move to bolster its renewable energy transition, Cyprus’s parliamentary energy committee has called for an immediate extension of state subsidies for residential solar and battery systems, set to lapse at year’s end. The government has signalled its intention to continue the financial support, aiming to avert market disruption and sustain household investment. Concurrently, a large-scale modernization of the national grid is accelerating, with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) embarking on an intensive street-by-street campaign to install smart meters across multiple districts this December.
The committee’s urgent appeal, articulated during a session this Tuesday, stems from concerns that uncertainty could stifle consumer confidence. With existing programmes offering equipment grants of up to €1,500 per household due to expire on December 31, a prompt decision is deemed critical. Committee chairman Kyriacos Hadjiyiannis underscored the government’s position, stating, "The government confirmed it intends to continue subsidy schemes that currently support the installation of solar panels on homes." This continuity is expected to encompass both self-consumption installations and battery storage units, ensuring that net metering and net billing arrangements proceed without interruption.
This legislative push dovetails with a tangible, nationwide infrastructure upgrade already underway. The EAC has initiated the systematic replacement of outdated analog meters with advanced remote-reading devices. Targeted neighborhoods in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, and Paphos are currently experiencing the rollout, which necessitates brief, planned power interruptions typically under twenty minutes. In a public communication, the EAC acknowledged the temporary inconvenience, "stressing that the interruption is necessary for safe replacement."
The dual-pronged strategy addresses both supply and demand sides of Cyprus’s energy equation. Extending the subsidies mitigates the financial barrier for homeowners, encouraging decentralized generation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the smart meter deployment constitutes a foundational step towards a more resilient and intelligent grid. The new technology promises enhanced billing accuracy, rapid fault detection, and, prospectively, the capacity for consumers to monitor their energy usage in real time, fostering greater efficiency.
Looking ahead, the energy committee plans to reconvene in January to assess progress on these fronts. The broader objective is to cultivate a stable, attractive market for renewable investments, a sentiment echoed by the committee’s encouragement for private electricity suppliers to participate more actively in net metering schemes. For residents, the immediate impact involves navigating short power cuts for a long-term gain in grid modernity, while prospective adopters of solar technology can anticipate sustained government backing. Together, these initiatives represent a concerted, if complex, effort to steer the island toward a more sustainable and technologically adept energy future.