Nicosia, Cyprus. Data heard in parliament on Tuesday showed strong interest from businesses and individuals in solar parks and electrical storage systems, amid debate over a bill to curb permits for commercial solar parks on farmland.
Bill aims and parliamentary background
The data was presented as background for discussion of a bill tabled by opposition party Akel. The bill seeks to curb the granting of permits for commercial solar parks on farmland, with the stated aim of protecting arable land and conservation areas from these facilities.
Farmers’ complaints and long-running debate
The issue has been discussed intermittently in parliament for years. Farmers from the Famagusta and Paphos districts have repeatedly complained that solar parks have expanded widely, squeezing out agriculturalists and eliminating pastures.
Government position and legislative procedure
The government, through the energy ministry, said it agrees in principle with Akel’s proposal but raised a procedural objection. It said the bill seeks to amend a law governing the promotion of renewable energy sources.
In 2022, Cyprus enacted the Promotion and Encouragement of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources Law to align with EU directives, targeting a 42.5 per cent share of renewables in gross final consumption by 2030. The legislation supports solar, wind and other renewables, offering incentives such as feed-in tariffs and grants to reduce reliance on imported fuels.
The government said that because the law is harmonising and does not provide for constraints on the use of renewable energy sources, it would be inappropriate to amend it with Akel’s proposal. It suggested instead that the bill be used to amend the Town Planning plan.
Applications and installed capacity figures
Information provided to parliament showed 266 applications for solar parks and electrical storage installations. Of these, 221 applications concern solar parks, with a combined installed capacity of 1,092 megawatts (MW).
Data valid as of October 2025 showed the actual total installed capacity of renewable energy sources at 1,160 MW.
How should Cyprus balance renewable energy expansion with the protection of farmland and conservation areas?
