Cyprus launches public consultation on new energy poverty criteria

The Cyprus Energy Service has launched a public consultation regarding a draft decree aimed at formally defining and identifying energy-poor households. The initiative, led by Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michalis Damianou, seeks to establish objective criteria to better target financial and energy support. This regulatory framework is a key component of aligning national laws with the European Union Directive 2023/1791 on energy efficiency.

The proposed decree identifies five categories of beneficiaries, including recipients of public assistance, the guaranteed minimum income, low-pensioner allowances, and specific single-parent or child-benefit schemes with defined income thresholds. For instance, single-parent households may qualify if their gross annual income does not exceed €21,060 for one dependent child, with an increase of €6,620 for each additional child. Additionally, a composite index assessing financial hardship, disposable income, energy costs, and building efficiency is being developed to quantify energy poverty.

Interested parties are invited to submit their feedback on the draft decree until September 11, 2026. The objective is to ensure that essential energy services, such as heating, cooling, and electricity for household appliances, are accessible to vulnerable residents, thereby addressing the root causes of energy poverty across the country.