Dr Charles Ellinas
Energy was constantly in the news in 2024, but serious progress was limited.
By far the biggest success was the ‘Photovoltaics (PV) for All’ scheme. With the failure of utility-scale renewables (RES) projects to contribute constructively to Cyprus’ energy mix so far, ‘Photovoltaics for All’ has enormous potential to increase RES penetration and significantly reduce the cost of electricity to those that participate, as well as reduce emissions into the atmosphere. This scheme will continue and household demand to participate in the scheme will increase in 2025.
But where Cyprus really needs to see progress is in the perennial problem of high electricity prices. These remain some of the highest in Europe.
Based on purchasing power parity, in 2024 Cyprus had the second highest household electricity price in Europe, largely due to taxation. Tax accounted for just under 35 per cent of the price, the fourth highest in Europe and well above the corresponding EU average, of about 23 per cent. In Greece this percentage was only around 15 per cent. Bringing taxes and levies down to Greece’s level, could slash electricity prices from 33 cents/kWh to 25 cents/kWh.
Energy was constantly in the news in 2024, but serious progress was limited.
By far the biggest success was the ‘Photovoltaics (PV) for All’ scheme. With the failure of utility-scale renewables (RES) projects to contribute constructively to Cyprus’ energy mix so far, ‘Photovoltaics for All’ has enormous potential to increase RES penetration and significantly reduce the cost of electricity to those that participate, as well as reduce emissions into the atmosphere. This scheme will continue and household demand to participate in the scheme will increase in 2025.
But where Cyprus really needs to see progress is in the perennial problem of high electricity prices. These remain some of the highest in Europe.
Based on purchasing power parity, in 2024 Cyprus had the second highest household electricity price in Europe, largely due to taxation. Tax accounted for just under 35 per cent of the price, the fourth highest in Europe and well above the corresponding EU average, of about 23 per cent. In Greece this percentage was only around 15 per cent. Bringing taxes and levies down to Greece’s level, could slash electricity prices from 33 cents/kWh to 25 cents/kWh.
