Great interest has emerged in solar parks and electrical storage systems, as highlighted by recent discussions in parliament. The data presented during a parliamentary session on Tuesday reveals that both businesses and individuals are increasingly keen on renewable energy sources.
This dialogue has been sparked by a bill introduced by the opposition party Akel, aiming to limit permits for commercial solar parks on farmland. Akel’s initiative seeks to safeguard arable land and conservation zones from the proliferation of these facilities.
The issue has been a point of contention in parliament for several years, with farmers particularly from the Famagusta and Paphos districts voicing concerns over the rapid expansion of solar parks. They argue that these developments are encroaching on agricultural land, displacing farmers and depleting vital pastures.
The government, through the energy ministry, has expressed general support for Akel’s proposal. However, it raises procedural objections, noting that the bill attempts to amend existing legislation that promotes renewable energy sources. This law, enacted in 2022 to comply with EU directives, aims for a 42.5 per cent share of renewables in Cyprus’ gross final consumption by 2030. The legislation incentivises solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects through measures such as feed-in tariffs and grants to reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Officials emphasise that because the current law is a harmonising framework without restrictions on renewable energy usage, altering it with Akel’s bill would be inappropriate. Instead, they propose that Akel could amend the Town Planning law to achieve its objectives.
The data shared in parliament indicates a total of 266 applications for solar parks and electrical storage installations. Out of these, 221 applications pertain to solar parks, which collectively could yield an installed capacity of 1,092 megawatts (MW). As of October 2025, the total installed capacity of renewable energy sources in Cyprus stands at 1,160 MW, comprising 158 MW from wind farms, 990 MW from solar parks, and 12 MW from biomass.
It is important to note that the government’s assessment of Cyprus’ national energy and climate plan for 2030 counts only the actual power fed into the grid, rather than the total installed capacity. This distinction underscores the ongoing development in the renewable sector.
Akel’s bill outlines five specific instances where the granting of permits for solar parks would be prohibited. These include areas of high natural value, arable or permanently irrigated land, land designated as irrigated under government projects, environmental protection zones, and regions within the Natura 2000 areas. The sponsors of the bill clarify that farmers would still be permitted to install photovoltaic systems for their own use without facing restrictions.
