Solar in Cyprus — Strategic Advantage in a Vulnerable Climate

written by Dr. Nicolaides Kleanthis, President of ISES Cyprus

 

Essential Background

Cyprus is an island in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third largest in size after Sicily and Sardinia. It covers an area of about 9,250 sq. km and lies in a strategic location at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. The island’s landscape is dominated by two main mountain ranges —the Pentadaktylos in the north and the Troodos in the centre— as well as the central plain of Mesaoria. Its climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Politically, Cyprus is a member of the UN since 1960, but since 1974 is facing a national problem, when the Turkish invasion resulted in the occupation of about 37% of (the northern part) the island. Nicosia remains the last divided capital in Europe. The Republic of Cyprus has been a full member of the European Union since 2004, but the acquis Communautaire is suspended in the occupied areas. The Cyprus issue remains unresolved despite numerous rounds of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.

 

Executive Summary (EN)
Cyprus couples one of the strongest solar resources in Europe (≈2,500–3,500 sunshine hours/year; ≈19–20 MJ/m²/day in coastal areas) with world-leading solar thermal uptake (~93.5% of households). PV capacity reached 797 MW by end-2024 and ~908 MW by Aug-2025, bringing total RES capacity to ≈1,078 MW (PV 908 MW, wind 158 MW, biomass 12 MW). In 2024 renewables generated ~25% of electricity, yet curtailments remained high (~28–29% in 2024; ~167 GWh in 1H-2025).

 

System needs & solutions: grid upgrades, the Great Sea Interconnector GSI (despite that the investment is questioned), and battery storage (state-aid scheme ≈350 MWh; regulator-approved TSO assets ≈400 MWh), plus demand-side response and energy communities. With these, Cyprus can become a European living lab for high-solar, islanded systems.

 

Solar Energy in Cyprus

Abstract
Cyprus possesses one of the strongest solar resources in Europe, offering a unique opportunity to enhance energy security, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and increase climate resilience. This paper presents an overview of the current status of solar energy deployment in Cyprus, including solar thermal systems, photovoltaic (PV) installations, renewable energy mix, grid challenges, and strategies for energy storage and demand management. It must be added that the investments on solar energy are limited due to the political problem Cyprus is facing

1. Introduction

Cyprus is an island with unique challenges but also exceptional advantages. As the southernmost EU Member State, it is more exposed than many regions to climate change impacts — prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and increased variability. At the same time, its abundance of sunshine is an invaluable asset not yet fully exploited.

 

Solar energy offers a dual opportunity:

(a) decoupling from expensive and polluting fossil fuels, and

(b) enhancing energy security and climate resilience.

Deployment of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal applications, combined with storage and smart demand/production management, can transform the energy system from vulnerable to exemplary in sustainability.

The International Solar Energy Society (ISES International), with its national branch ISES Cyprus, plays a critical role in highlighting potentials, supporting technologies and policies, and bridging the research community, industry, and civil society.

 

2. Technical Overview 2025 — Resources & Infrastructure

2.1 Solar Irradiation & Sunshine

• Annual sunshine duration: ~2,500–3,500 hours (average ~8.8 hours/day).
• Mean daily global solar irradiation (MJ/m²/day):
  • Coastal areas: ~19.9
  • Inland (Athalassa): ~19.0
  • Mountains (Troodos): ~17.5

2.2 Solar Thermal Systems

• Cyprus remains a Global/European leader in solar water heaters.
• ~93.5% of households (2024) use solar for domestic hot water (DHW., with initial installations back to the 60’s), significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions.

2.3 Photovoltaics (PV) — Penetration & Growth

• End of 2024: cumulative capacity 797 MW.
• August 2025: installed PV capacity ~908 MW. Total RES capacity ~1,078 MW (PV 908 MW, Wind 158 MW, Biomass 12 MW).

2.4 Renewable Generation & Curtailments

• 2024 RES generation covered ~25% of electricity demand, dominated by solar.
• Curtailments: ~28–29% of produced renewable energy in 2024; ~167 GWh curtailed in 1H-2025, highlighting the need for storage, flexibility, and grid reinforcement.

2.5 Grid, Interconnections & Storage

• EuroAsia Interconnector: PCI project under development; expected to reduce curtailments and allow higher solar penetration.
• Storage:
  • State subsidy scheme: ~350 MWh (residential/commercial).
  • TSO-approved projects: ~400 MWh strategic storage assets.

3. Implications — From Potential to Utilization
   1. PV + Storage: Rooftop and commercial parks with batteries (behind-the-meter and grid-scale) to reduce curtailments and increase self-consumption.
   2. Demand-Side Response (DSR): Load shifting (heat pumps, EV charging, cooling/AC) with dynamic tariffs and automation.
   3. Energy Communities: Local projects with shared PV/storage, social participation, and mitigation of energy poverty.
   4. Grid & Interconnection: Accelerated upgrades, smart transformers, and a speedy transformation and progress to GSI for the benefit of securing the supply of pure energy.