Cyprus is among the lowest performers in the European Union for renewable electricity use, with only 24.1 per cent of its total electricity consumption sourced from renewables in 2024. This figure, reported by Eurostat, places Cyprus on par with Hungary, both countries lagging significantly behind their EU counterparts.
In 2024, renewable energy sources supplied 47.5 per cent of gross electricity consumption across the EU, marking a 2.1 percentage point increase from the previous year. This growth is part of a broader trend, as renewable energy’s share has risen almost 30 percentage points since 2004, when it accounted for merely 15.9 per cent.
The increase in renewable energy consumption reflects the EU’s ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources. The share of renewables climbed steadily from 28.6 per cent in 2014 to the current figure of 47.5 per cent, highlighting the bloc’s commitment to sustainability.
Despite this positive trend for the EU, Cyprus’s performance starkly contrasts the achievements of other member states. Countries such as Austria and Sweden lead the way, with renewable sources contributing 90.1 per cent and 88.1 per cent, respectively, to their electricity consumption. Denmark follows closely with 79.7 per cent. These nations primarily harness hydro and wind power, showcasing the effectiveness of their energy strategies.
Other EU countries have also surpassed the halfway mark in renewable energy consumption. Portugal, for instance, reached 65.8 per cent, while Spain and Croatia recorded 59.7 per cent and 58.0 per cent, respectively. In this context, Cyprus, along with Malta (10.7 per cent), the Czech Republic (17.9 per cent), Luxembourg (20.5 per cent), and Slovakia (24.9 per cent), is positioned at the bottom of the rankings.
Wind and hydro power are the dominant contributors to renewable electricity generation in the EU, accounting for 38.0 per cent and 26.4 per cent of the total respectively. Solar power is rapidly gaining ground, contributing 23.4 per cent in 2024. This represents a remarkable increase from just 1 per cent in 2008, when solar production stood at 7.4 terawatt hours. By 2024, solar generation surged to 304 terawatt hours, driven by significant investment and rapid deployment across the continent.
The disparity in renewable energy performance among EU member states raises concerns about the pace of transition for countries like Cyprus. While the EU as a whole moves towards a greener future, the gap between top performers and those struggling to improve illustrates the challenges that remain for some nations.
