23.03.2024
According to Energy Minister George Papanastasiou, rules for the development and operation of “renewable energy communities” are expected to come into force in the second half of 2024.
The rules are expected to pave the way for the installation of photovoltaic systems in apartment buildings with shared roofs, as energy communities are cooperatives that will allow apartment owners to produce energy from clean or renewable sources.
In a response letter to environmental MP Charalambos Theopeptou George Papanastasiou said the Department of Energy has included the provisions of the European Directive relating to renewable energy communities (RE-communities) in the Renewable Energy Promotion Act 2022.
He added that the rules also ensure that renewable energy communities have access to all relevant energy markets and remove any undue regulatory barriers to their development.
The Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) has published a tender for consultancy services for the preparation of the necessary regulatory framework, which is expected to come into force in the second half of 2024.
Regarding the issue of measures to support the development of renewable energy communities, George Papanastasiou said that technical assistance from the European Commission has been available to the Ministry of Energy since January 2024. This assistance covers various aspects such as identifying best practices, addressing development problems, conducting public awareness campaigns and developing financial incentives.
The Minister expects initial results to be available by July 2024 and final recommendations to be in line with the regulatory framework issued by CERA. He emphasized that further regulation could be considered based on an understanding of the existing regulatory framework and technical assistance.
In addition, the promotion of energy communities and renewable energy communities has been integrated into the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2030, presented to the European Commission in July.
According to George Papanastasiou, approximately one in ten homes has a photovoltaic system and the evaluation of applications for the Photovoltaics for All project is expected to begin within a few days. “Pre-approvals for applications, which have already exceeded 5,000, will begin to be issued during April . ”
