Cyprus has called for EU support through cooperation and appropriate funding to address the impact of the energy crisis, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianos has said.
Speaking at the informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Dublin on 29 September, Damianos outlined the particularities of Cyprus’ energy system and measures being promoted to reduce the country’s exposure to energy price volatility, a press release issued by the Ministry said.
Energy affordability was at the centre of the meeting, along with ways to empower consumers through greater choice, better information and more control over their energy consumption and costs. Ministers also discussed innovation and changes in the energy market, energy security and cooperation with strategic partners.
Damianos said Cyprus remains an isolated energy system, with a limited domestic market and high dependence on imported fuels, leaving it particularly exposed to external price increases.
He presented measures including promoting self-generation and energy efficiency in households and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the installation of energy storage systems and smart meters.
On electrification, Damianos said affordability, together with the necessary infrastructure, would determine the success of the energy transition in a small and isolated system such as Cyprus. He called for targeted financing tools adapted to the circumstances of member states.
He also noted that, as Cyprus does not have pumped-storage facilities, it considers chemical energy storage and demand response as equivalent flexibility solutions.
On energy security, Damianos noted that Cyprus remains the only EU member state not connected to the European electricity grid. He stressed the importance of resilient critical infrastructure and collective security of supply, saying that interconnection was a key form of system resilience.
He also called for the protection of critical infrastructure to cover the construction stage of projects and said energy security should be addressed on a permanent basis rather than only during price crises.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Damianos held talks with his Hungarian and Lithuanian counterparts on further cooperation in hydrocarbons and natural gas projects. With the Lithuanian Minister, he also discussed coordination ahead of Lithuania’s upcoming EU Council Presidency.
(Source: CNA)
