Nicosia, Cyprus. Electricity storage batteries are expected to arrive in Cyprus in January 2027, with installation of a 125-megawatt storage project due to be completed before summer, Energy Minister Michael Damianos said on Sunday. The project is intended to store surplus renewable electricity and help meet peak evening demand.
Contracts signed
Damianos said contracts had already been signed with the supplier and the Transmission System Operator for the battery storage project.
Once operational, the facilities will add 125MW of energy storage capacity to Cyprus’ electricity system, allowing more renewable energy to be stored rather than curtailed during periods of excess production.
Summer demand
The minister said the project would help reduce cuts to renewable electricity generation during the summer of 2027, when electricity demand typically reaches its highest levels.
Cyprus has just over 1,000MW of conventional electricity generation, which Damianos said is generally sufficient during the day. Demand can exceed available capacity during the first hours after sunset in summer, when air-conditioning use remains high while photovoltaic production has stopped.
Battery storage will allow electricity generated from renewable sources during the day to be used during peak evening demand, he said.
Additional storage projects
Damianos said terms had been agreed and granted for a further 150MW of privately owned battery storage projects, which are also expected to begin operating in 2027.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus is also developing storage facilities with a combined capacity of 180MW. Projects with capacities of 80MW and 100MW respectively are expected to be operational before next summer.