EAC Advances Plans to Secure Large State Land Plots for PV Parks, Says Director George Petrou

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is progressing with efforts to secure extensive state land plots for the construction of additional photovoltaic (PV) parks, EAC Director George Petrou announced on Monday.

“People have come forward offering small parcels of land of 20,000 to 30,000 m² but, though these are useful, it is necessary for larger land parcels [of up to 300,000 m²] to be secured,” to significantly reduce the cost of electricity provided by the authority, Petrou told state broadcaster CyBC.

Petrou added that several suitable state land parcels had been identified by the EAC, and the procedures for obtaining PV park permits are set to begin with a meeting with the planning department on Wednesday.

“The installation of PVs is a quick matter, but what delays progress are the processes, which can take up to two years,” the EAC director said.

These time-consuming procedures, particularly the environmental assessments, cannot be circumvented or expedited, Petrou emphasized, as they can only be conducted at specific times of the year and over a certain period to yield accurate information.

Meanwhile, the EAC is advancing with securing two updated generators for the Dhekelia power station, as well as storage systems. Petrou noted that the current electricity grid is “holding up well, despite some minor glitches.”

The cost of the Dhekelia power plant upgrades, scheduled to be completed within the first six months of 2025, will be borne by consumers over a five-year period and is expected to be very small, he added.

In addition, the authority is set to finally proceed with the installation of smart meters following the resolution of court deliberations over whether the Cyprus telecommunications authority (Cyta) could be tasked with their provision. The court has ruled that the meters are to be provided by Cyta, and 50,000 meters will be received by the EAC by the end of the current year.

These smart meters are expected to benefit consumers by enabling them to monitor and adjust their energy usage habits, as well as eliminate the need for physical meter readings by EAC staff.

By fLEXI tEAM