Simplification of procedures to install photovoltaics heads to House plenum

Three bills simplifying procedures to install renewable sources of energy will go to the House plenum on Thursday amid hopes they will give impetus to efforts to meet climate change targets.

The House energy committee wrapped discussion of the package on Tuesday, with committee president Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis of Disy thanking MPs for the “tremendous work” done.

“We have wrapped up, both as regards the substance and the content, on these three bills that have a comprehensive philosophy,” he said.

The aim is to enable everyone, without any bureaucracy, to benefit from the sun to produce electricity for their own consumption.

He said he hoped the plenary would on Thursday approve the bills and send the message that Cyprus is determined to achieve its targets the soonest possible.

The bills introduce procedures for quick responses to applications for photovoltaics or projects of renewable energy. They also introduce certificates of origin that can be traded on the market to speed up the green transition, he added.

“We are introducing the right for every member of the public to install photovoltaics at their home,” Hadjiyiannis said.

Asked about subsidies, he said that such schemes were a different issue. The bills dealt with procedures, eliminating unnecessary paperwork that had discouraged many from investing in photovoltaics in the past. “Neither final approval permits or preconditions or requirements. Photovoltaics are simple devices, just like any other electronic device at the home,” he said.

The specifications are the responsibility, as clarified in the law, of the person installing the technology, he added.

Edek MP Elias Myrianthous said the law would encourage a number of people to install renewable sources of energy at their places of work or residence, thus allowing the state to meet its EU-mandated targets. It was particularly welcome given the recent surge in energy costs.