Cyprus has issued its first licences for the production of electricity by the private sector, a move which could help it meet or exceed its EU targets for renewable energy production by 2010, officials said on Saturday.
The eastern Mediterranean island utilises solar energy heavily, but only for water heating and lags behind in the broader use of renewables in the production of electricity.
Six percent of its electricity production must be drawn from renewable sources by 2010. The present contribution is negligible. "We will have met our EU obligations by then," said George Lillikas, Cyprus's energy minister. "Maybe we should review our targets upwards."
Licences were issued to incumbent government operator EAC and three companies for the production of electricity with combined cycle gas turbines and to the EAC and a private operator for the creation of wind parks.