Cyprus lost 167,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy in 2024 due to a lack of storage facilities, outraged MPs were told on Tuesday, as households continue to face soaring electricity bills.

MPs on the House energy committee expressed disappointment over the wasted power, which could have been used during peak demand. They also criticised the government for failing to develop a strategy to store and distribute energy.

During a heated committee session, lawmakers also called for a digital system to track applications for photovoltaic (PV) installations.

Committee Chairman Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis of Disy slammed the government for what he called an “absolute absence of policy.”

He accused key agencies, including the electricity authority (EAC) and the energy ministry, of operating independently without coordination.

The state deceived people into investing in solar panels, especially households,” Hadjiyiannis said.

He argued that authorities failed to balance grid improvements with energy storage, preventing the full integration of the renewables.

Hadjiyiannis also claimed that funds from the renewable energy fund were being misused for electricity interconnections and social policies instead of expanding storage capacity.

Akel MP Costas Costa was equally critical. He said many areas can no longer accept more solar power due to grid limitations.

“People who installed solar panels to cut costs now face electricity bills of €300-400, up from €60-70 just two months ago,” Costa said.

The spike is due to forced reductions in PV electricity production, he explained.

He blamed past decision-making for the crisis.

We flooded the country with large solar parks, approving new licences without planning for the consequences,” he said, stressing that ordinary consumers were not at fault.

When asked if special interests were blocking renewable energy reforms, Costa hinted at deeper issues. “This is not just about incompetence. It’s also about serving certain interests”.

Diko MP Christos Senekis said MPs have demanded answers from the energy minister and the EAC on when grid upgrades will allow full use of solar power.

Dipa MP Michalis Giakoumis, who raised the issue, accused the government of dishonesty. “Cutting off renewable energy to consumers who installed solar panels is borderline fraud,” he said.

While authorities plan to announce a storage system, it will only cover large solar parks, not households. MPs also called for an online application process for PV installations to ensure transparency.

The government has yet to provide a roadmap for energy storage.