Universal Golf Enterprises Plc announced on Friday, April 24, an important decision regarding its land holdings in the Limassol district. The company has received a license to build a new photovoltaic park. This development is part of a broader revision of the company’s land-use strategy. It is worth recalling that Universal Golf Enterprises was originally registered in Cyprus in 2011 with a single purpose — the development and operation of the Limassol Hills golf resort. However, the company has now shifted its development direction.
This strategic update did not come as a surprise. As early as December 22, 2025, the company announced that it was exploring alternative ways to utilize its land assets. Now, following approval from the authorities, the solar energy project on the company’s land is becoming a reality.
A Large-Scale Project with a French Energy Giant
The project involves the construction of a 100-megawatt photovoltaic park. It will be developed by the French energy giant TotalEnergies in partnership with Universal Green Energies Ltd, a subsidiary of Universal Golf Enterprises. The Cyprus Department of Environment has already issued a positive opinion.
The photovoltaic park will be located on land originally designated for a golf course. The site covers areas within the communities of Vasa Kellakiou, Asgata, and Sanida in the Limassol district. Initially, more than 2 million square meters of land were reserved for the project. However, during the environmental assessment process, the area was adjusted to protect valuable natural ecosystems. As a result, the park will occupy approximately 833,000 square meters, with 440,000 square meters allocated for the installation of 170,000 photovoltaic panels.
Energy Benefits and Environmental Protection
The new station is expected to generate around 160,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This will be sufficient to cover the needs of approximately 33,000 households in Cyprus. From an environmental perspective, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an amount comparable to planting 4 million trees. These figures are particularly impressive, especially considering that a golf resort was originally planned for the site.
Environmental concerns remain central to the project. The Department of Environment has imposed strict conditions to protect local flora and fauna. Key requirements include preserving the habitat of the Bonelli’s eagle, a rare bird of prey that nests in the area. Construction is prohibited in sensitive zones, including watercourses and buffer strips, and is restricted on slopes steeper than 25%. Following the preliminary assessment, the western part of the site, which is critical for birdlife, was completely excluded from the panel installation area. In addition, in coordination with the Department of Forestry, trees and shrubs located within the construction zone will be relocated.
What’s Next and Public Reaction
Construction of the large-scale facility is expected to be completed within two years after obtaining all necessary permits. It is important to note that the project has sparked some debate. Some residents of the Sanida community have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the solar park on local air temperatures. Meanwhile, residents of Asgata have suggested that a golf course would have brought more benefits, including job creation and tourism development.
Nevertheless, Universal Golf Enterprises continues along its new strategic path. The involvement of a global giant like TotalEnergies highlights the seriousness of the project. It aligns with the broader European “green transition” strategy and will help Cyprus reduce penalties for emissions. Ultimately, instead of an elite golf resort, the region will gain a modern renewable energy facility capable of supplying electricity to tens of thousands of homes.