EAC plans new electricity storage systems at Dhekelia and Moni

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Electricity Authority of Cyprus plans to build new electricity storage capacity at the Dhekelia and Moni power stations to limit renewable energy losses during peak production hours, spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou said on Wednesday.

Dhekelia project

Papadopoulou told the Cyprus Mail that the Dhekelia storage system will have a power capacity of 80 megawatts and storage capacity of 160 megawatt hours.

A construction contract was signed with the Cyprus telecommunications authority (Cyta) in February. The system is expected to begin operating in September next year.

The contract cost the taxpayer €33,733,640.

Moni plans

The planned storage system at Moni will have a power capacity of 100 megawatts and storage capacity of 200 megawatt hours.

The Cyprus energy regulatory authority (Cera) has issued a construction permit, while the EAC has applied to the transmission system authority for terms of connection.

The environment department is expected to publish an impact assessment report on the plans, and the Limassol district government has yet to complete its assessment of the planning application.

Estimated cost and timetable

Papadopoulou said the Moni project remains at an early stage and no exact cost has been determined. The EAC estimates it will cost about €50 million and take one year to complete from its start date, which is expected around the beginning of next year.

Calls for additional storage

The comments came after the Cyprus chamber of commerce and industry (Keve) called on Wednesday for specific reforms and interventions to help gradually reduce electricity costs.

Keve called for faster development of electricity storage infrastructure to maximise the use of renewable energy sources, as well as reduced restrictions and cuts in electricity generation from solar systems.