Cyprus is set to get another photovoltaic park that will use special panels to convert solar energy into electricity.
On Friday 17 May, the Cyprus Environment Ministry approved the construction of the project in the village of Vavla.
According to the release, the power plant will consist of 7,000 panels with a total capacity of 14.9MW. This will allow residents in the surrounding area to reduce their electricity bills.
The photovoltaic park will cover an area of 20.5 thousand m2 and the energy it will generate at its maximum total capacity will be 20,270 MWh/year.
The ultimate goal of the project is to help meet the region's energy needs and reduce the country's dependence on imported and non-renewable energy sources, as outlined in the corresponding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.
The estimated cost of the project is more than €3 million. Construction is expected to start in 2025 and take approximately 15 months, with the project being implemented in one phase.
As Cyprus has almost 365 days of sunshine per year, the main solution to the problem of electricity saving is the construction of photovoltaic parks.
Unlike burning coal, solar energy does not cause the greenhouse effect that contributes to global warming. In addition, solar energy can play an important and cost-effective role in overcoming Cyprus' dependence on fossil fuels.
Improved ways of storing solar energy can also increase the sustainability of the energy system. By storing extra energy on sunny days, batteries ensure that electricity is available when the weather is cloudy or when cyclones knock out traditional power lines. As a result, consumers in Cyprus can enjoy more reliable energy at a lower cost.
These ambitious investments are not only good climate policy, but also a great opportunity for Cyprus to invest in itself and its future.