Bridging local and national effort: the Cyprus Energy Agency’s role in climate action and energy transition

The Cyprus Energy Agency (CEA), established in 2009, serves as a crucial bridge between local, regional, and national governance in advancing the island’s energy transition and climate resilience. As the only energy agency in Cyprus, CEA fulfils a dual role as both a national coordinator and a local advisor, providing tailored solutions for municipalities while maintaining direct links with government ministries. This multilevel governance approach ensures that local needs are effectively integrated into national strategies, fostering a unified framework to address climate and energy challenges.

Guided by its vision "to contribute actively to the conservation of energy sources, the protection of the environment, and the improvement of the quality of life," CEA is committed to promoting renewable energy, sustainable transport, and energy efficiency while simultaneously mitigating and adapting to climate change. 

Formalising the Role of Territorial Coordinator in the Covenant of Mayors

Since 2010, CEA has played an active role in the European Covenant of Mayors, initially as a Supporter and, more recently, as a Coordinator since July 2023. This transition formalised a role that CEA had already been performing for years, working with local authorities in developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs). Under the framework of the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (Cyprus Tomorrow), CEA assists 286 local authorities in developing Joint SECAPs across 30 clusters. These plans align with the objectives of the Covenant, setting targets to reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and bolster climate adaptation strategies through to 2050.

Through its active participation in the preparation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, CEA successfully submitted and negotiated proposals that secured funding for both technical assistance and a grant scheme totalling approximately €3.3 million. This comprehensive effort has achieved measurable impacts, including a targeted reduction of at least 55% in CO2 emissions by 2030 across 286 local communities.

Additionally, CEA provides technical assistance to local authorities, equipping them with tools, guidebooks, and capacity-building programmes to ensure effective implementation. Its position as a trusted intermediary enables close collaboration with ministries and access to national funding schemes, such as a €3 million grant for energy upgrades and a €2.9 million adaptation grant for community councils. CEA’s achievements under the Covenant of Mayors illustrate its key role in driving Cyprus’s energy transition while addressing the unique challenges of a small island nation.

Comprehensive support through projects and tools

In addition to its role under the Covenant of Mayors, CEA implements a range of complementary initiatives that tackle sustainability challenges from multiple angles. The agency maintains a comprehensive energy database, mapping energy production and consumption across all sectors from 2009 to 2023. Moreover, specific local climate and energy poverty data have recently been developed and analysed by CEA. This database facilitates energy data management at a regional level, extracting key energy indicators, creating energy and carbon dioxide emission balances at the local level, identifying areas of energy poverty and contributing to the development of long-term energy scenarios for 2030, 2040, and 2050.

The availability of granular, postcode-level data allows the agency to identify vulnerable communities at risk of energy poverty and work with local authorities to develop targeted interventions. One notable initiative involved supporting 300 households including people with disabilities, helping them access financing and contractors for photovoltaic installations and energy efficiency upgrades.

CEA also leads capacity-building initiatives, including the promotion of green public procurement to enhance sustainability in public contracts. Pilot projects, such as nature-based solutions for improving energy efficiency in school buildings, demonstrate its innovative approach. Furthermore, CEA’s participation in European initiatives, such as the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub and the European Climate Pact Secretariat, strengthens its ability to implement best practices.

Its impact is clear in tangible projects such as the energy renovations of 25 school buildings to nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standards and the promotion of energy communities to support rural and remote areas. These efforts highlight CEA’s commitment to practical, on-the-ground change that directly benefits local communities.

Lessons learnt and next steps

CEA’s experience as a Coordinator in the Covenant of Mayors provides valuable insights into fostering multilevel governance. One key lesson is the necessity of equipping municipalities with the necessary structures and capacity to ensure long-term success. The development of SECAPs requires not only technical expertise but also sustained collaboration among stakeholders at all levels. CEA’s role as a trusted intermediary between municipalities and the national government has proven essential in addressing this challenge.

Looking ahead, CEA is focused on the successful implementation of interventions outlined in the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as the promotion of best practices and opportunities that emerge. Its objective is to leverage these successes to foster further initiatives and secure additional funding for the benefit of local communities. In line with this vision, CEA has undertaken the development of the first Energy Community of Cyprus, encompassing a cluster of five isolated communities in western Cyprus.

Through its commitment to multilevel governance, technical expertise, and community-driven initiatives, the Cyprus Energy Agency continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Cyprus’s energy and climate future.

Cyprus Energy Agency - Cyprus

Covenant Member since:

• 2010 as appointed entity through the Union of Cyprus Communities (CoM Supporter)
• 2011 as appointed entity through the Union of Cyprus Municipalities (CoM Supporter)
• 2023 as National Coordinator

Area covered: National

Population: 966,000 inhabitants in the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus (as from 2024 local authorities reform, 20 municipalities and 286 Communities), 31 individual signatories and a joint signatory with 5 Communities already registered in MyCovenant)

Overall CO₂ emission reduction target: 55% reduction by 2030 in 286 local authorities

Key figures

• 30 joint SECAPs developed for 286 small local authorities by the Cyprus Energy Agency
• Technical support to 300 households with disable people
• 25 school buildings renovated to nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standards

Contact

Savvas Vlachos: savvas.vlachos@cea.org.cy 

Charis Kordatos: charis.kordatos@cea.org.cy