On the occasion of yesterday's announcement by AKEL, which once again attempts to nullify the government's policy and work in the energy sector and especially in renewable energy sources (RES), the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (YEEV) is obliged to reiterate that great progress has been recorded in the field of green transition in our country in recent years, as evidenced by our actions and the results achieved so far by our long-term strategy. In short. [*]As a result of the economic incentives provided on the basis of the Government's sound planning, the reforms designed and implemented and the infrastructure promoted, the European targets of the Republic of Cyprus for 2020 have not only been met but exceeded. In 2020, the RES contribution to final energy consumption reached 17% from 13% of the target, while the mandatory target for cumulative end-use energy savings was achieved at 135%. [*]Engaging in social policy, we increased by 30 thousand the number of vulnerable households entitled to increased subsidies from our plans, bringing the number to 80 thousand. [*]Almost three times the number of vulnerable households have applied in 2022 for subsidies for PV installation compared to the previous year, which is also due to the increased incentives reaching almost 100% of the investment. [*]With the incentives given by the Ministry of Energy from 2013 to 2022 and despite the objective difficulties that our country presents for rapid development of RES (high cost of photovoltaics until 2016 which made the use of the technology unprofitable, lack of electrical interconnection with other countries, limited hydroelectric and wind potential), we managed to increase:
- To 15% of electricity generation from RES in 2021 compared to 11.31% in 2019 and 8.3% in 2013 and to about 16% in 2022; - To 18.22% of RES in final energy consumption in 2021 compared to 12.53% in 2019 and 7.91% in 2013. - By 1700% the capacity of photovoltaics between 2013-2022; - At 600 MW the installed RES capacity by 12/2022 tripling compared to 2013. Meanwhile another 70 commercial RES projects with a total capacity of 115 MW are under implementation.
Concerning the issues of price increases that AKEL invokes, blaming the Government, citizens are well aware that the soaring energy costs are not a local but an international phenomenon due to the fragile situation created by the war in Ukraine, the European sanctions against Russia and the reduction of gas deliveries. However, Cyprus, with the decisions taken by the Government, has implemented a series of compensatory measures which have so far amounted to €400 million, excluding the grants given through projects, which have limited the increased energy costs.
Regarding the responsibility that AKEL attributes to the Government on the occasion of the completely unnecessary letter of the Electricity Transmission and Distribution Operators through which we were called upon to stop the Subsidy Scheme for the installation of photovoltaic panels in residential buildings, we note the following. We reiterate the position we have conveyed to the Operators that there are technical solutions, both temporary and permanent, which can keep the Plan in place for the installation of photovoltaic systems, while shielding the safety and reliability of the system. A position with which the Trustees have agreed in their public statements. [*]Upgrading the transmission grid is at the heart of our Strategy. The Government through the Cyprus_Tomorrow Plan, almost 40% of whose budget is dedicated to the rapid transition to green energy, is promoting the upgrade, modernisation and digitalisation of the electricity grid for €100 million, the financing of smart meters for €100 million and the promotion of large-scale energy storage systems for €80 million.[BR]
Therefore, no deadlock arises from the energy policy of the Ministry of Energy. The deadlocks are hidden in the petty political expediencies and the populism that AKEL chooses. Our response to the nihilism promoted by AKEL is the work we have done, which, with the continuation of a credible leadership, lays a solid foundation for the rapid transition of our country to green energy and economic sustainability.
(MB/EXP)
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