Three draft bills concerning the licensing of renewable energy projects are set to be referred to the House plenary, following the completion of article-by-article discussion at the parliamentary Energy Committee.
Streamlining Licensing Rules
One of the pending items concerns an amendment to the 2025 Consumer Protection Law, aimed at aligning Cyprus legislation with Directive (EU) 2023/2673 on distance contracts for financial services. MPs are expected to state their positions before the amendment is formally tabled in the plenary.
A second proposal, submitted by MPs Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, Nikos Syka, Michalis Yiakoumi and Stavros Papadouris, focuses on setting clearer conditions and time limits for extensions of licences or exemptions from licensing requirements issued by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority. These relate to the construction of electricity generation stations and energy storage facilities. The committee is awaiting technical amendments from competent authorities before the bill proceeds to the full House.
Shift to “First Ready, First Served”
Speaking after the committee meeting, DIKO MP Michalis Yiakoumi said the proposals aim to overhaul current practices in renewable energy projects.
“We are shifting from a first come, first served system, with endless and unacceptable waiting lists, to a first ready, first served approach,” he said, adding that projects which are licensing-ready would be connected first.
Yiakoumi also said the Energy Committee has sent a letter to the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority calling for the simplification of outdated procedures, particularly the repeated submission of information in cases involving licence transfers and changes in company shareholding. A further letter will be sent to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and the Distribution System Operator, with a view to simplifying procedures related mainly to household self-consumption schemes.
Photovoltaics in Parking Areas
The third proposal to be forwarded to the plenary was submitted by MPs Kyriakos Hatzigiannis and Michalis Yiakoumi. It seeks to amend the existing law so that the required permit issued by the competent authority is deemed to also cover the installation of photovoltaic systems for self-consumption on the roofs of canopies in public or private parking areas.
This would apply provided the conditions set out in a decree by the Minister of Interior are met. Those conditions may not impose a maximum surface area for such installations.
Speaking after the session, Energy Committee chair Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, a DISY MP, said there would be no limit on the number of parking spaces in an area wishing to install photovoltaic panels on its roof, as long as the ministerial decree also does not introduce any such restriction.
“We are trying to accelerate the penetration of renewable energy sources,” he said.
Source: CNA