Cyprus urged to adopt long-term energy strategy as R&D funding declines
Former CERA chairman Andreas Poullikkas called for a balanced energy strategy, while Eurostat reported lower R&D allocations in Cyprus for 2025.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus needs a balanced, long-term energy strategy combining conventional generation, renewable energy, storage, electricity interconnection and demand management, according to energy systems expert and former Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority chairman Andreas Poullikkas.
He said electricity security is essential for economic stability, social cohesion and quality of life, as Eurostat reported that government allocations for research and development in 2025 fell from the previous year but remained substantially above 2015 levels.
Energy security
In an analysis on energy security, Poullikkas said there were no simple solutions to complex energy challenges and argued that Cyprus’ electricity system required a comprehensive approach rather than reliance on individual technologies.
“Electricity adequacy is one of the most important conditions for economic stability, social cohesion and quality of life in Cyprus,” Poullikkas said.
He said recent years had demonstrated that the island’s electricity system faces increasing challenges, particularly during periods of high demand and extreme temperatures.
According to Poullikkas, Cyprus’ position as a small and electrically isolated island means security of supply cannot depend on one-dimensional choices.
Research and development funding
Cyprus allocated approximately €112 million to research and development in 2025, according to figures published by Eurostat on Friday.
The European statistical office said government budget allocations for research and development in Cyprus amounted to €111.99 million in 2025, compared with €150.61 million in 2024.
The 2025 figure represented a year-on-year decline of 25.64 per cent, but was 87.74 per cent higher than the €59.66 million allocated in 2015.
The long-term increase reflected stronger economic performance in recent years, allowing greater investment in research and innovation than during the years immediately following the financial crisis, when public finances were more constrained.
Funding broadly followed an upward trend over the past decade, rising from €59.79 million in 2016 and €62.47 million in 2017 to €67.08 million in 2018 and €80.44 million in 2019.
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