Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Kyriakos Iordanou, highlighted Cyprus’ commitment to tackling energy poverty as an integral component of an inclusive Energy Union.
Iordanou was speaking at the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) 2026 Annual Conference, held in Athens on 17 and 18 March 2026.
A press release by the Ministry says that in his address, Iordanou underlined that energy poverty remains one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing Europe, affecting approximately 42 million people and requiring coordinated, evidence-based, and socially just responses. In this context, he explained that the ongoing Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union has placed energy poverty at the centre of a fair and inclusive energy transition.
Reduced rates
Referring to the situation in Cyprus, Iordanou outlined the government’s targeted measures to support vulnerable consumers. These include the Special Residential Tariff, which provides reduced electricity rates (approximately 20% lower) for more than 30.000 vulnerable households, deep renovation grant schemes covering up to 80% of eligible costs for vulnerable consumers, and individual support measures offering, inter alia, up to 100% funding for the installation of photovoltaic systems, as well as up to 80% funding for the replacement of solar water heaters and inefficient household appliances.
He also referred to Cyprus’ National Energy and Climate Plan for 2030, which sets an indicative target of reducing energy poverty by 10% by 2030, as well as to the planned National Energy Poverty Governance System, intended to strengthen monitoring, policy coordination, and local-level support through the introduction of a National Observatory, expert networks, and Local Energy Hubs that will assist with the identification of vulnerable households.
Iordanou thanked the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub for the invitation and conveying the support of the Republic of Cyprus for its work and referred to the importance of enhanced EU resilience in the face of geopolitical instability and market volatility, as well as the role of energy communities in delivering affordable, locally generated clean energy to citizens, the press release concludes.
Source: CNA