In Cyprus, from December 2024 to November 2025, electricity consumption has primarily relied on fossil energy. More than half of the electricity, approximately 72%, is produced from oil. Low-carbon sources, which include solar and wind, account for nearly 28% of the electricity mix. Solar energy is particularly prominent, contributing more than 23% to the island's electricity, while wind power supplies a modest 3%. This signals a significant, yet insufficient, shift towards sustainable electricity generation, underscoring the potential and need for expansion in clean energy infrastructure, particularly solar, given its already substantial share in the mix.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Cyprus?
When examining the growth of electricity usage in Cyprus, there is concerning stagnation in overall consumption. The per capita consumption of 4,087 kWh in 2025 remains significantly lower compared to the record figure of 4,719 kWh witnessed in 2010, revealing a decline of 632 kWh per person. However, there is a momentous increase in low-carbon electricity, reaching 1,134 kWh per person in 2025, up from the previous record of 974 kWh, marking an encouraging improvement of 160 kWh per person. While there is progress in the contribution of sustainable sources, the overall decline in electricity usage suggests there's still much room for growth to meet future demands effectively.
Suggestions
To advance in generating low-carbon electricity, Cyprus should focus on expanding its solar energy footprint. This approach is supported by its geographical advantages, making solar a logical priority. Lessons can be drawn from countries and states excelling in sustainable energy deployment. For example, regions like France and Slovakia harness nuclear energy to produce 70% and 66% of their electricity respectively, while states like Iowa and South Dakota draw around 60% from wind. These cases exemplify the potential impact of enhancing specific technologies like nuclear and solar to achieve significant low-carbon electricity contributions. Cyprus could significantly benefit from diversifying its low-carbon energy sources by also considering nuclear energy, which has proven instrumental in various regions.
History
Looking at the historical development of low-carbon electricity in Cyprus, particularly over the past decade, the island has shown a persistent commitment to solar energy. Significant gains have occurred post-2020, when solar electricity generation took strides, increasing by 0.1 TWh in 2020 and then by 0.2 TWh in 2021 and in 2023, and reaching a noteworthy 0.3 TWh growth in 2024. Although wind energy growth experienced a brief period of stagnation after 2012, solar advancements have led the charge for clean energy improvements. This progression indicates an upward trend in sustainable electricity production, demonstrating that Cyprus is moving toward a more sustainable energy future, albeit the pace and scope could be improved through continued investment in solar and possibly nuclear technologies.
