New Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michael Damianos takes office

A careful and organized course is required to achieve the energy transition in Cyprus, support the industry and strengthen the economy, ensuring sustainable solutions for the country’s energy future, new Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michael Damianos said. He took over from his predecessor George Papanastasiou.

Five ministers were replaced in a cabinet reshuffle under President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. Among them, the now former Minister of Health Michael Damianos took helm of the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry from George Papanastasiou.

Cyprus is assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1 for six months. It means Damianos will chair the meetings of ministers responsible for the sectors in his portfolio, like the so-called Energy Council.

“We will work with innovation, excellence and sustainability in mind, to ensure that Cyprus continues to move in a direction that will serve the common good and future generations,” the new minister said at the handover ceremony.

Realistic, measurable goals for tangible results for all citizens

A careful and organized course is required to achieve the energy transition in Cyprus, support the industry and strengthen the economy, ensuring sustainable solutions for the country’s energy future, according to Damianos. He highlighted the importance of setting “realistic and measurable goals” to bring tangible results for all citizens.

Papanastasiou’s departure could be a signal from Nicosia about the fate of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel subsea power link

Some media is speculating that the switch is a signal from Cyprus about the embattled Great Sea Interconnector, a proposed underwater cable that would link Greece, via Crete, with Cyprus and Israel. Papanastasiou was apparently one of the few ardent supporters of the project in the country’s government.

The investment remains stuck over expenses and threats from Turkey.

University of Cambridge alum

Damianos studied law at the University of Southampton, from where he graduated with honours and received the best academic performance award. He earned a master of laws degree at the University of Cambridge, specializing in international law. The minister has received the best academic performance award from the Fitzwilliam College of the University of Cambridge.

The minister holds the professional title of a solicitor, granted by the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Damianos worked at the international law firms Simmons and Simmons and Hogan Lovells in London, specializing in corporate, commercial and energy matters.

In 2010 in Cyprus, he founded a law firm that bears his name. Damianos served as a municipal councillor in Strovolos Municipality from 2011 to 2016. Since 2018, he has been the vice president of the Democratic Party (DIKO).

Damianos became the minister of health in January 2024.

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April 15, 2025

by AEA in News

Upgrade for prosumers to avoid grid curtailments costs up to EUR 1,000

To use electricity from their photovoltaic systems in periods when grid operators disconnect them to stabilize the system, citizens can install equipment that costs EUR 300 to EUR 1,000. Cyprus passed a bill enabling prosumers to switch to a zero-export mode.

Cyprus, the only non-interconnected European Union member state, is struggling to maintain the stability of its electricity system. Rapid growth of solar power capacity is increasing the episodes of overloads, when grid operators have to curtail their production. At the same time, sometimes sudden weather changes push production to a critically low level, which can also cause outages before oil-fired power plants step in to cover the deficit.

Still, the island country passed amendments last week to protect the right of prosumers to an interrupted power supply for their own needs. On the other hand, implementation isn’t cheap, and for some of them it would not be cost-effective.

Upgrading a PV system with a zero-export mode is not cost-effective if no one is usually home during work hours

Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou said prosumers need to upgrade their photovoltaic systems to be able to keep consuming their electricity during curtailments. A switch for cutting off the solar panels from the grid, and leaving them directly connected to the home, costs some EUR 300, he added. But a prosumer will need to pay EUR 1,000 if the inverter doesn’t support the conversion, the minister explained.

Owners of PV systems need to calculate the curtailment costs and compare them to the investment that enables operating them in a so-called zero-export mode.

If no one is home on weekdays during work hours, when solar panels generate electricity, there are no substantial benefits, unless there is also a battery. And it makes the intervention much more expensive. Conversely, the new option is much more useful for most businesses.

Cyprus is rushing to introduce energy storage capacities and expand the curtailment systems throughout the power system.

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