Cyprus wind energy must be promoted

“Today we could easily get 250 megawatts from already installed wind power plants and another 20 megawatts from other forms of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic, solar power and biomass,” said Tsingis.

According to Tsingis, the wind farm plants in Ayia Anna and Alexigros will be functioning by September. He also pointed out that the wind farm in Orites, Paphos, which is currently the only functioning one out of the seven, contributes 15 to 25 megawatts to the system daily and 40 megawatts on a good day, which can supply 80 per cent of Paphos’ electricity. “During such devastating moments wind farms tend to be very useful and beneficial,” he said.

Tsingis described the EAC as a “spoilt child”, saying that there should not be sole dependence on fuel oil to produce power and a sole dependence on the EAC.

“Until recently it was the sole [producer of electrical energy] and today it is the main one in our country,” said Tsingis, adding that Cyprus should improve its renewable energy sources like everyone else in the world.

He also claimed that the generators that the EAC plan to install to produce around 300 megawatts will produce power using diesel and not fuel oil, resulting in a production cost of over 20 cents per kilowatt, compared to the existing 11.7 cents per kilowatt.

“So a household that pays €300 today for every two months will jump to paying €500,” Tsingis said.

The government should be encouraging and aiding companies that are ready for renewable energy resources within the next three months with extra incentives to bolster the system with more megawatts, he urged.

Tsingis said the Energy Services current limit the amount of renewables used by setting a maximum production of 165 megawatts. It they were simply free to produce as much as they likes they could add another 150 to 200 megawatts within the next six months to a year, he said.

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