Filenews 4 April 2022
The President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, focused on the substantial steps that have been taken mainly in the last two years in the context of the Government's strategic planning in the energy sector, during today's confirmation ceremony of CERA member Neophytos Hadjigeorgiou.
Speaking during the ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic said that he proceeded to the reappointment of Neophytos Hadjigeorgiou, to the position of a member of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority, as in addition to his academic knowledge, as well as his many years of experience in energy issues, there was also the decisive reason for the high contribution to the multifaceted work carried out by the Authority.
A project, he said, directly intertwined with the national goal we have set to make energy a source of wealth, prosperity and security for the country and a lever for green growth.
President Anastasiades then referred to the Government's integrated strategic planning, which focuses on the creation of a competitive and healthy internal electricity market, the lifting of the energy isolation of Cyprus, the advent and creation of a natural gas market, and the further penetration of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy mix of Cyprus.
the President noted the substantial steps that have been taken in the last two years in the context of the actions of this strategic planning. Among other things, he underlined the passage of bills concerning the regulatory framework for the operation of the competitive electricity market, the establishment of CERA and its Office as a single legal entity of public law, the independence of the Transmission System Operator of Cyprus.
He said the bills in question also include regulations related to the protection of vulnerable consumers, which at this juncture, characterised by the sharp rise in energy prices worldwide, are of paramount importance.
President Anastasiades went on to say that the Government has also adopted the National Energy and Climate Plan with a view to implementation in 2030, which is based on the recommendations of the European Union's Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050
At the same time, he submitted to the Parliament a bill for the promotion of Renewable Energy Sources, which, among other things, provides for the creation of a specialized one-stop center, in order to facilitate the information, service and licensing of Renewable Energy Sources projects. This is fully in line with the European Commission's decision to set up a mechanism for the rapid examination and licensing of Renewable Energy Sources.
It also secured a grant of 657 million euros from the European Commission, for the construction works of the electricity interconnection of Cyprus with Israel and Crete, "EuroAsia Interconnector", while for the implementation of the project, 100 million euros have been included in the framework of the national Plan "Cyprus – the Future".
It also succeeded in promoting the implementation of 223 commercial renewable energy projects. With their completion and in combination with the systems in homes and businesses, the total installed production from Renewable Energy Sources is expected to increase by more than 700 megawatts.
At the same time, said President Anastasiades, Memoranda of Understanding were signed, both bilaterally with Egypt and at a trilateral level with Greece, for the electrical interconnection of Cyprus, Egypt and Greece.
He noted that by 2030, around 80 million euros are expected to be allocated for Sponsorship projects to promote energy storage, while by 2025, with funding of 35 million euros, 400 thousand smart meters will be installed.
He also noted that the state, regarding Renewable Energy Sources in the gross final consumption of the country, has exceeded our mandatory targets for 2020 with a percentage of 17% instead of 13%, which was provided for in the whole plan.
The President also said that a particular contribution to the effort for the further implementation of reforms, investments and sponsorship plans, which include energy efficiency of buildings and further penetration of Renewable Energy Sources, is the allocation of an amount of 269 million euros provided for in the National Plan "Cyprus - the Future".
He noted that in 2021, more than 40 million euros were allocated to Sponsorship Schemes for energy upgrading, while in 2022 this amount will exceed 90 million euros, while in addition to the above, two Plans have been approved, with a total budget of 49 million euros for energy upgrading, both businesses and buildings of Municipalities, Communities and Non-Profit Organizations.
"What I have mentioned is indicative of the substantial progress we have made regarding the goal of getting rid of conventional forms of energy and ensuring energy sufficiency in our country, for the benefit and always focusing on consumer protection", he stressed.
Concluding, he told Mr. Hadjigeorgiou that it is precisely this effort that he is called upon to continue with his reappointment, and with the rest of the members of the Authority, so that in cooperation with the Government, not only the objectives of the national strategy are implemented, but also any other policies that are considered necessary to be implemented, in order to achieve what I have mentioned above.
On his part, Mr. Hadjigeorgiou expressed his gratitude for his reappointment and assured that he will continue with zeal, professionalism and a high sense of responsibility" to perform his duties at a time of challenges with multiple developments in the electricity and gas sector in our country.
He said that this period is marked by intense turbulence due to the war in Ukraine, the electricity and gas markets are being tested, while prices are moving at ever higher levels for consumers. These markets are by their very nature complex and however much we want to simplify the rules that govern them, the result will always be complex.
"Under these circumstances, the first priority is to ensure the reliability of the energy system of Cyprus in the best financial way, while achieving the demanding goals set for the green transition and the de-dependence on liquid fuels," he said.
Mr. Hadjigeorgiou also said that in this context, CERA's work remains important, demanding and at the same time complex, given the particular characteristics of the Cypriot energy market, which is small without electrical interconnection and dependent on international fossil fuel prices.
"With hard work and cooperation with all the competent state and European bodies, every effort will be made to carry out this work successfully", he said and assured President Anastasiades that he will continue to make every effort so that in full and good cooperation with the President and Vice-President of CERA, all issues are approached with scienticity and professionalism within the framework of the powers and responsibilities provided by both the national and the European legislation, with the sole aim of protecting and benefiting consumers and the local economy in general.
