Government accused of failure to manage the solar energy it is investing in, while residents continue to suffer repeated curtailment of their solar power

THE Frequent solar power curtailments and delayed renewable energy projects threaten to worsen the nation’s energy crisis has led to mounting frustration from the public and lawmakers.

At the centre of the controversy is the energy ministry, which has come under heavy criticism for failing to take responsibility.

MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis has been vocal in challenging the government’s handling of energy storage, particularly solar power. He has accused the government of inaction, suggesting that it is unable to manage the solar energy it is investing in, while residents continue to suffer from repeated loss of their solar power.

“The question is not whether the House approves the bill immediately or not. The real question is why this country, why this government, has no energy storage policy,” Hadjiyiannis told the Cyprus Mail, arguing that the government’s failure to bring forward a coherent energy strategy is at the heart of the crisis.

The debate intensified after Hadjiyiannis clarified the timeline of the energy storage bill. Despite accusations that the House had delayed its approval, he confirmed that the bill was officially submitted on February 27, and was set for discussion by the relevant committee on March 4. He rejected claims of parliamentary delays as “false and defamatory” and stressed that the legislative process was being misrepresented.

“This is a case of defamation,” Hadjiyiannis said.

“The person responsible for spreading these claims should come forward at the House session and apologise.”

Yet, as the debate rages on, the bigger question remains: why is Cyprus still facing the solar power curtailments to avoid grid overload despite the government’s push for solar energy? Lawmakers argue that the government has been too slow to address the need for energy storage, causing waste of solar power while solar projects continue to grow.

MP Hadjiyiannis highlighted the problem:

“There was no plan for energy storage while solar projects were being approved. Now, we are dealing with power cuts because there is no way to store surplus energy.”

Opposition MP Irene Charalambides, who has been critical of the energy ministry, laid much of the blame at the feet of Energy Minister George Papanastasiou. She accused the government of misleading the public with promises of a reliable energy system, only to leave them facing disconnections.

“Electricity produced from oil is prioritised, while households generating solar power are being disconnected,” she said.

Charalambides went further, questioning why solar panels were mandated for new homes without the necessary infrastructure to store or distribute the excess energy.

“The state bears enormous responsibility for its failure to plan properly,” she said.

“It is unacceptable that some questions receive clear answers while others are ignored.”

The problem with energy storage is not new, but the minister’s response has been called into question. Cyprus has long struggled to implement a robust storage system, and now surplus solar energy is going to waste during the day because the grid cannot cope.

Charalambides shared the experience of affected citizens: “For three consecutive days, homes generating solar power saw their energy supply cut from morning until night. This is not an isolated issue – it’s becoming standard practice, forcing people to pay sky-high electricity bills while watching their energy go to waste.”

Charalambides also criticised regulatory failures. In 2018, the Cyprus energy regulatory authority (Cera) removed a key requirement for large solar parks to have their own energy storage facilities, a decision that is now widely seen as a mistake.

“Why was this requirement removed?” she asked.

“Instead of upgrading the grid, €40 million from the EU was given to private companies rather than the electricity authority of Cyprus (EAC) to improve storage capacity.”

The government’s delayed efforts to introduce natural gas have only worsened the problem. More than a decade of discussions has led to minimal progress, leaving Cyprus dependent on an unstable electricity supply. Meanwhile, newer solar panel contracts have subjected homeowners to disconnections, further exacerbating the inequality between those who installed panels before and after the policy changes.

“With the cost of electricity rising, how could policymakers not foresee this issue?” Charalambides asked.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou explained that the transmission system operator (TSO) is sometimes forced to cut energy production to maintain grid stability, particularly when production exceeds consumption.

“The problem is that production sometimes exceeds consumption,” the minister said.

“We must keep the grid stable, especially during autumn and spring when these issues peak.”

Yet many argue that this response fails to acknowledge the government’s responsibility for proper planning and oversight. Charalambides, speaking on behalf of many frustrated consumers, said: “Cyprus needs a real energy strategy – not just empty promises. We cannot afford to waste electricity during the day and suffer blackouts at night.”

Calls for greater transparency and accountability have intensified, especially in light of ongoing challenges with the Vasilikos liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. Charalambides has also demanded an independent investigation into energy policies under former president Nicos Anastasiades’ administration.

“If the president truly wants transparency and accountability, as he claims, he must act now,” she said.

In response to the growing criticism, the government has announced several initiatives, including a €35 million grant scheme for energy storage systems. The scheme, which opened for applications on February 14 and closes on March 28, aims to promote energy storage and reduce electricity costs. Additionally, the ministry has pledged to secure more storage space at the Dhekelia power station to manage excess energy.

The minister also outlined plans to introduce subsidies for small commercial and household solar systems, but Charalambides remains unconvinced.

“This will not solve the problem. We need a comprehensive plan, not piecemeal solutions,” she said.