Parliament to revisit renewable energy law
Cyprus parliament is set to reconsider a recently passed renewable energy law on Thursday, 23 April, after the presidency raised legal and constitutional concerns and referred the legislation back for review.
The House agriculture committee will examine the referral in the presence of the attorney-general, as well as the ministers of agriculture, energy and interior.
The outcome is expected to determine how Cyprus balances renewable energy expansion with the protection of agricultural land.
What the Cyprus renewable energy law changes
The amendment restricts the installation of renewable energy projects for commercial purposes on specific categories of land, including fertile or permanently irrigated agricultural areas, land within irrigation schemes, protected planning zones, and Natura 2000 sites.
The renewable energy law in Cyprus targets large-scale commercial developments, while excluding smaller systems intended for farmers’ own use.
Presidency raises constitutional and EU concerns
The presidency referred the law back to parliament, citing possible conflicts with Cyprus’ obligations under European Union renewable energy targets, as well as potential infringement of property rights under Article 23 of the Constitution.
Concerns were also raised regarding the separation of powers, with land-use decisions considered to fall within the executive branch. The Law Office has additionally flagged issues related to legal certainty and compatibility with EU law.
The debate over the renewable energy law reflects a broader policy tension between accelerating renewable energy deployment and protecting agricultural land.
Cyprus is under pressure to increase renewable energy capacity as part of its EU commitments and wider green transition strategy. However, the rapid expansion of solar parks has triggered concerns among farmers about the loss of productive land.
Infrastructure constraints add pressure
The issue is unfolding as Cyprus continues to face structural challenges in its energy system, including limited grid capacity, the need for energy storage, and the lack of full electricity interconnection with other markets.
These constraints have intensified debate over where renewable energy projects should be developed.
Government departments remain divided on the renewable energy law. The energy ministry argues the issue should be regulated under planning legislation, while the agriculture and town planning departments favour existing frameworks or planning tools.
The agriculture ministry supports agrivoltaic systems that combine energy production with agricultural use.
Next steps in parliament
Under constitutional rules, parliament must decide within 15 days whether to accept the referral or insist on the original law.
The agriculture committee’s session on 23 April will be a key step in determining the outcome of the Cyprus renewable energy law.
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