The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry announced on Monday the launch of the online "Digital One Stop Shop" platform, an action of the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow", which, in the first phase, concerns the digital submission of applications for the licensing of renewable energy projects.

According to the Ministry, the operation of the platform is part of the implementation of the President's election promise for the redesign, optimisation and digitalisation of the procedures for the licensing of renewable energy projects, while the second phase, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2024, will enable the full digitalisation of procedures and electronic approvals of applications.

As stated, the aim of the new platform, found online at https://bfu.meci.gov.cy, is to facilitate investors and the licensing of projects.

It is recalled that the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry announced at the end of May, as a first measure to implement the above commitments, the operation of an one-stop-shop service for the licensing of renewable energy projects, which is part of the Ministry's Business Facilitation Unit.

It is added that the responsibilities of the unit, as the single point of contact for the investor throughout the licensing process, include, among other things, information, coordination, guidance and facilitation of the entire administrative process of licensing renewable energy power generation projects.

The ongoing technical assistance from the European Commission for the simplification of the renewable energy projects licensing procedures is expected to contribute to the government's efforts for a rapid transition to the green economy, it is added, while it is also noted that the mapping of existing procedures and legislation between the various competent authorities has already been completed and the first report is expected soon, with a series of recommendations for simplifying the licensing procedures.

All the above will contribute to the facilitation of investors by reducing bureaucracy and the time needed for the licensing of renewable energy projects, as well as to the achievement of the new, more ambitious targets set in the National Energy and Climate Plan which is currently under review, the Ministry adds.

Applicants who have already secured the use of the respective piece of land are invited to submit all necessary supporting documents online at https://res.bfu.meci.gov.cy/login for both new and pending applications, the statement concludes.