The European Commission approved the government’s economic incentives for the encouragement of electricity output from Aeolian parks.

Commerce Minister, Antonis Paschalides stressed that the first Aeolian parks will be constructed soon but not to communities whose residents react. He clarified that the communities that will host the Aeolian parks will receive 2% of the produced energy revenues and will enjoy other offsetting measures. “Applications may be submitted to the competent authorities from July 20”, he noted.

Energy Director, Solon Kasinis said that three big Aeolian parks are ready to start; one in Archimandrita (Paphos), two in Psevdas – Ayia Anna and Pyrga (Larnaca) and one in Kambi Pharmaka (Nicosia). The procedures for two more applications in Dasos Alexigrou and Sanida-Limassol are in progress.

As for the government’s target for the production of energy from renewable sources of energy, Mr. Kasinis explained that in 1999 Cyprus produced 1.9% from renewable sources of energy, while it should have been producing 3.8%.

With the new plans, the production will reach 8-9% on condition that three Aeolian parks will be constructed.