Cyprus parliamentary committee debates restrictions on photovoltaic park installations

On October 20, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources of Cyprus convened to address the implementation of new legislation regarding the installation of photovoltaic parks on fertile agricultural land. The discussion followed the publication of the Renewable Energy Sources (Amending) Law of 2026 on May 5, 2026, which aims to protect the primary sector and sensitive ecological areas.

The new legal framework imposes strict prohibitions on commercial renewable energy installations within fertile or irrigated land, areas designated for land consolidation (anadasmos), urban protection zones, and Natura 2000 network sites. During the session, initiated by MPs Giannakis Gavriil, Efraim Christou, Valentinos Fakontis, and Linos Papagiannis, deep institutional and administrative challenges were raised. Agricultural organizations criticized the current management of hundreds of pending permit applications submitted to provincial government agencies, labeling the situation a threat to the primary sector, while environmental groups highlighted the potential for cumulative negative impacts on the countryside.

Despite the unanimous parliamentary support and presidential approval of the law, significant tension persists between the legislature and agricultural advocates against the government and the Law Office regarding the processing of ongoing applications. The committee continues to evaluate the enforcement of these protective measures to prevent the uncontrolled spread of renewable energy projects on agricultural soil.