None of the targets for the participation of the renewable energy sources (RES) in the production of electricity and the total energy consumption of Cyprus has been achieved so far, despite the fact that the first plan expires in 2010, the House Committee of European Affairs said today.
According to the CNA, Energy Regulator, Costas Ioannou stated that although the participation of RES in the consumable energy must reach 6% by 2010 - according to the first plan - now it hardly stands at 1%.
Mr. Ioannou said that the incentives plan approved by the Council of Ministers is very good but needs improvement. “With this plan together with the creation of 3 or 4 Aeolian parks, we could achieve our target for 2010”, he said.
“According to the new EU directives, the target for 2020 is a 13% participation of RES in consumable energy. This percentage for the other EU member states reached 20% and Cyprus should not ask for a decline but for an increase of this percentage”, he added.
Mr. Ioannou said that communities have not protested against the parks, since of the 27 applications that have been approved, reactions were for 7 only. More than that, with the new incentives that provide for a 2% of the revenues to the communities, reactions will be minimized.
“The RSE fund can deal with the needs for 3 or 4 more years with the existing resources. The low degree of implementation of the plan is attributable to the ambiguous incentives”, he noted.
On the other hand, Chairman of the Committee, Nicos Cleanthous said that if the targets are not achieved, Cyprus might be imposed fines.
“The issue will be discussed by the Committee again. The enforcement of the targets will benefit the Cyprus economy and will improve the quality of the citizens’ life”, he concluded
According to the CNA, Energy Regulator, Costas Ioannou stated that although the participation of RES in the consumable energy must reach 6% by 2010 - according to the first plan - now it hardly stands at 1%.
Mr. Ioannou said that the incentives plan approved by the Council of Ministers is very good but needs improvement. “With this plan together with the creation of 3 or 4 Aeolian parks, we could achieve our target for 2010”, he said.
“According to the new EU directives, the target for 2020 is a 13% participation of RES in consumable energy. This percentage for the other EU member states reached 20% and Cyprus should not ask for a decline but for an increase of this percentage”, he added.
Mr. Ioannou said that communities have not protested against the parks, since of the 27 applications that have been approved, reactions were for 7 only. More than that, with the new incentives that provide for a 2% of the revenues to the communities, reactions will be minimized.
“The RSE fund can deal with the needs for 3 or 4 more years with the existing resources. The low degree of implementation of the plan is attributable to the ambiguous incentives”, he noted.
On the other hand, Chairman of the Committee, Nicos Cleanthous said that if the targets are not achieved, Cyprus might be imposed fines.
“The issue will be discussed by the Committee again. The enforcement of the targets will benefit the Cyprus economy and will improve the quality of the citizens’ life”, he concluded
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