Renewable Energy in Cyprus: A Road to Transformation
In the heart of the Mediterranean, Cyprus stands at a crossroads in its energy journey. Despite being endowed with generous sunlight, the island’s transition to renewable energy has been less than swift. Two recent developments have brought this issue into sharper focus, revealing both challenges and potential solutions.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has been in the news with its new president announcing that the latest turbine at the Vasilikos power plant is currently limited to running on natural gas. However, there is a silver lining: with modifications, it could also operate using hydrogen. This opens up a conversation about the future role of green energy sources in Cyprus’s energy mix.
Meanwhile, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) penned a compelling letter to the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA), advocating for an expedited rollout of ‘Energy Communities.’ This concept, already flourishing in parts of Europe, encourages collective investment in solar parks by individuals, small businesses, and communities. It’s a step beyond the ‘photovoltaics-for-all’ initiative, aiming to democratize energy production and drive down costs.
The past decade has seen a meandering path for renewable development in Cyprus. Licensing hurdles have often meant that awarded entities spend precious time securing finances and technology, leading to expensive renewable electricity that does little to alleviate Cyprus’s high energy prices. The call is clear: competitive bidding must become the norm for future projects to avoid these pitfalls.
A Role for Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable energy, stands as a beacon of hope for replacing fossil fuels in various industries. However, its production is not without challenges. The significant loss of energy value during conversion and the vast amounts of renewable power required for its creation mean that green hydrogen is not yet a panacea for electricity generation.
The European Union’s ambitious REPowerEU plan underscores the need for a massive scale-up in renewable capacity to meet climate targets. Yet, with current solar installations and the slow pace of green hydrogen projects, there’s a long road ahead.
Can Cyprus Harness Hydrogen?
Cyprus’s abundant solar potential positions it as a candidate for green hydrogen production. But reality checks abound: the current solar capacity is modest, and substantial land is needed for significant hydrogen production. While Cyprus dreams of becoming a green hydrogen hub, it must first bolster its renewable energy infrastructure.
Immediate priorities include transitioning from diesel and heavy fuel oil to natural gas at Vasilikos and accelerating renewable projects like ‘Energy Communities.’ With these steps, Cyprus could eventually harness its sunlight bounty not just for immediate energy needs but also as a player in the emerging green hydrogen market.
As the island nation charts its course towards a greener future, stakeholders and policymakers must navigate the complexities of energy transformation with strategic planning and innovation. With careful stewardship, Cyprus’s abundant sunlight could indeed become its most valuable resource.
