The energy regulatory authority (Cera) said on Thursday it is doing what it can to ensure adequacy of electricity supply, in the wake of cutbacks to systems generating power from renewables.

In a statement, Cera said it “understands” the consequences of these cutbacks to producers and/or consumers, adding that it expects the problem “to be mitigated with the installation of storage systems and the ending of Cyprus’ electricity isolation”.

The agency said it constantly monitors the grid to ensure sufficient electrical power is available – which is why it has granted permits to power plants using either conventional fuel or renewables.

Cera said that currently there operate power stations using conventional fuel – diesel or heavy fuel oil – with a total installed capacity of 1,483 megawatts (MW).

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In addition, it has issued permits for such facilities with a total capacity of 624 MW. Of these licensed facilities, two are located in the Vasiliko area (total 429 MW) and in the final phase of construction. However, until the advent of natural gas they will not be able to be connected to the grid.

Regarding power from renewables, total installed capacity from wind parks comes to 157.5 MW; another 377 MW from commercial solar parks; 464 MW from own-use photovoltaic systems; and 12.3 MW from systems using biomass.

What’s more, Cera has granted permits for more renewables projects: commercial wind parks for 50 MW, of which the 12 MW are in the final stage of construction; commercial solar parks for 2,800 MW; and own-use photovoltaic systems for 20 MW.

The agency also addressed recent reports about it having revoked a prior requirement that any renewables-powered projects of over 8 MW should install storage systems.

Cera confirmed it revoked the requirement, calling the requirement “moot”.

It said that requirement was in fact inhibiting the promotion of renewables stations, given that no application concerning more than 8 MW was ever submitted to it anyway.

“As a matter of fact, these applications for renewables were segmented, precisely so that they did not exceed the 8 MW threshold.”