Cyprus may see the construction of 10 new solar power plants with a total capacity of 26.7 megawatts. Environmental studies for all ten projects have already been completed and submitted for public consultation. Some of the plants will be equipped with energy storage systems. The projects cover areas from Larnaca to Limassol, Nicosia, and Paphos. Several plants are planned for agricultural land — an issue that previously raised concerns in Parliament, as such land can, under certain conditions, be used for farming. Supporters of the projects argue that solar farms will significantly contribute to renewable energy targets, reduce the use of conventional fuels, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Some sites are also located in other planning zones.
Location of the largest plant
The largest installation, both in terms of capacity and land area, will be built in Tseri. Its capacity will reach 7.99 megawatts, and it will occupy 90,497 m². The site is located approximately 1,140 meters from the residential zone of the Tseri municipality. Nine out of ten plots allocated for the project fall within the Ga4 zone, classified as agricultural land. Parts of two other plots are located in the Da2 zone, which is a protected area. The construction of this station will require 14,014 solar panels. The Tseri facility will become the largest solar generation site in Nicosia and will significantly increase the share of green energy in the capital region.
Kornos plant with energy storage system
The second-largest plant is planned in Kornos. Its capacity will reach 3.8 megawatts over an area of 46,538 m². This project raises important land-use questions. According to the environmental impact assessment, the plots fall within the Z1 planning zone — a protected area that includes archaeological sites, natural landscapes, forests, protected terrain, fertile and irrigated land, and rivers. The site is located about 550 meters northwest of the Kornos municipal boundary. The nearest residential house is just 55 meters from the project boundary.
The land currently contains scattered olive trees, wild vegetation, and cultivated grain crops. Trees along the perimeter will be preserved for local bird habitats. The western boundary of the site borders the old Nicosia–Limassol road, while the A1 highway lies just 80 meters further west. Another solar plant in this area has already received a positive environmental assessment from the Department of Environment. The Kornos plant will include an energy storage system with a capacity of 3 megawatts and 12 megawatt-hours. The system will be fully automated and managed by a central monitoring system. Expected annual electricity generation is estimated at 8,200 megawatt-hours.
Other projects by region
The third-largest planned station will be located in the Dromolaxia area of Larnaca, with a capacity of 2.76 megawatts over 26,090 m². In Avdellero (Larnaca), another plant with a capacity of 1.43 megawatts is planned. In Milia (Paphos district), a 1,547-kilowatt plant will be built. In Agia Varvara (Nicosia district), a 1.2-megawatt station is planned. In Pachna, Anogyra, and Lania, stations with capacities of 2.5 megawatts, 1.5 megawatts, and 2 megawatts respectively are planned. In Tersefanou (Larnaca district), a 2-megawatt plant will also be constructed.
All these projects are currently at various stages of approval. If all ten plants are completed, they will supply clean energy to tens of thousands of households and help Cyprus move closer to its target of 33% renewable electricity by 2030. Of particular interest is the combination of solar generation with energy storage systems, which will help smooth peak loads and improve the stability of the island’s power grid.