The Cyprus Environment Ministry has rejected an application by Bioland Project 82 Ltd to build a new 1.9 MW photovoltaic farm in the municipality of Tseri, near Nicosia.
According to the decision, the authority took into account the information provided in the Special Environmental Expertise Report (SEER), in accordance with Article 28 of the Law.
Incidentally, the main reason for the refusal was the presence of active nesting sites for the raptor Buteo ruffinus, which is listed as a protected species, in the area where the development was proposed. According to the Department, the construction and operation of the proposed development would have been a source of continuous disturbance to the birds and could have scared them away.
The Barrow's Buzzard (Latin: Buteo rufinus) is a bird of prey in the genus Buzzard of the family Accipitridae. It is found in both mountainous and open landscapes, including steppes and semi-deserts. The bird is listed in the Red Book as a rare vulnerable species.
It should be remembered that the problem of energy saving is very acute on the island.
The small size of the island and the lack of natural minerals from which fuel can be produced make Cyprus vulnerable in terms of electricity consumption. Only new technologies can enable the country to save electricity and thus spend much less money on it. For this reason, Cyprus is currently focusing on renewable energy sources, especially solar panels. As a result, photovoltaic parks are springing up all over the island, and there is great hope for the future. However, not all projects are completed.