Cyprus announces solar plans
The Energy Ministry of Cyprus has said it intends to increase power production from photovoltaic systems from 36 MW to 306 MW by 2025 seeing that there has been a significant reduction in production and installation costs of photovoltaic systems.
This move will be within the framework of updating the National Action Plan that was set up in 2010 to establish the extent of use of renewable energy resources and will see an increase in power production by nine times more than the existing amount.
A final decision will be taken in cooperation with the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA), after completion of procedures for natural gas supply within the framework of a middle ground solution.
The ministry has told parliament that in 2015 its new plan, or energy systems scenario sees 611MW total power production from CERA, compared to the existing amount of 195MW.
The maximum demand of electricity is currently at about 600MW and the total maximum production of conventional energy is at 1,170MW.
Concerning solar energy systems the ministry said the scenario includes installation of two such systems with total power of 100MW.
The solar energy systems were initially selected for funding by the EU programme NER 300, approved by the cabinet, however final approval will be by CERA, which has expressed concerns about this technology.
According to the ministry's energy systems scenario, the first solar energy system is expected to be in operation from 2016 and the second within 2017.
The ministry's new plan sees additional production but increase in production from solar parks is expected after 2025.
