Cyprus

Subsidy for storage heaters ends after electricity market opens

By: SigmaLive English

Date:

The tariff for storage heaters has changed following a decision by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) to end the subsidy previously provided by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC).

EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou told the Cyprus News Agency on Monday that the decision has been in effect since May 1, 2026.

When new electricity tariffs were introduced in 2017, the principle was established that each consumer should pay the actual cost of the energy they consume, without cross-subsidisation between different tariffs.

Until 2017, the storage heaters tariff was subsidised, with EAC covering a significant part of the cost. Under the new framework, the tariff was expected to increase by around 49%.

EAC subsidy continued for years

According to Papadopoulou, EAC undertook to cover the difference at the time, giving consumers more time to seek alternative heating methods.

This arrangement continued until the opening of the competitive electricity market, which officially took place on October 1, 2025.

“The EAC subsidy continued until recently, but EAC can no longer subsidise this tariff,” Papadopoulou said.

Consumers will now pay the standard per-kilowatt-hour charge applicable to their premises for electricity used by storage heaters.

For this reason, EAC had previously urged consumers to consider alternative heating options.

Solar users can offset consumption

A CERA decision has also introduced the option for consumers who have storage heaters and photovoltaic systems to offset the energy consumed by their storage heaters against the electricity generated by their solar systems.

Affected consumers can complete the relevant form and submit an application for the energy offsetting arrangement.

Papadopoulou said the tariff change has applied since May 1, 2026, and that affected consumers were recently informed of the change.

She added that EAC had absorbed the cost of the tariff difference for years, from 2017 until recently, describing it as a significant amount.

Also read: The major contradiction in Cyprus’ electricity market
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