President Anastasiades was speaking during an international Workshop on ‘Renewable Energy Applications for Island Tourism” in Paphos.
The President said: “The workshop is actively supporting the on going efforts made by such countries, including Cyprus, in introducing and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources in their energy mix”.
“Our shared vision is that through IRENA networks and support, the private sector will be greatly facilitated in developing the viable business models necessary to expand the energy market in the crucial tourism industry”, he added.
He went on to say that “as a small island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has an energy system isolated from the European and regional grids and dependent on expensive energy imports. As a result, establishing and enhancing energy cooperation with neighboring countries is one of our top priorities”, he noted.
The president also said that, “Cyprus is among the first countries to have proven, through a bidding process, that renewable energy can be at current retail prices ofelectricity”.
He moreover said that, “the fact that renewable energy provides 6.5 million jobs globally, it becomes apparent that the accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources, in conjunction with tourism activities, can play a pivotal role in overcoming our country’s current economic troubles”.
In his address, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Adnan Amin thanked Cyprus for the support it provides to the Agency, noting at the same time that “Cyprus is one of the reliable partners of the Agency helping to build its structures and the international policy framework on which it works”.
He noted that the international community is standing at a very important junction today with regard to the transition towards renewable energy sources and a sustainable energy future.
Amin also added that the international community faces tremendous challenges today, “recovering from a prolonged financial crisis globally, looking for new sources of growth, new sources of employment and sustainability”.
He noted that “renewable energy sources have become one of the fastest growth areas for employment”, adding that “recent report that we have issued shows that we have 6,5 million jobs worldwide in renewable energy today”.
In addition, he said that IRENA “is going to be working with the Republic of Cyprus in the development of its renewable energy road map”.
“It is always a pleasure to come to a country that is so committed to renewable energy”, he concluded.
The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Nicos Kouyialis also took part in the day’s deliberations of the workshop.
Kouyialis described the workshop as a very important one, noting: "The sector of renewable energy is a very important part of the green growth field. In Cyprus we can further develop the field of renewable energy sources and create new jobs thus tackle unemployment, especially among young people," he added.
He also noted that the Ministry of Energy along with the Ministry of Environment is working on a strategic plan, which provides, inter alia, for the reduction of emissions in the atmosphere and RES penetration into the electricity supply mix.
He finally said that this plan is expected to be ready by next October.
Source: Famagusta Gazette
