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Cyprus: Sustainability in Cyprus - Sustain Worldwide

Cyprus' natural energy

Cyprus is blessed with an abundance of natural energy – sunshine. It’s perhaps surprising then to learn that it has yet to fully harness the renewable energy source to power its expanding demands. However, that is set to change markedly over the next decade, accelerated by a massive munitions blast on 11 July 2011 at Cyprus’s largest power station— the Vasilicos power plant— with the concomitant loss of about 400MW (out of the total 1200MW) of power generation capacity.

In the short-term, the Cypriot Government have resorted to temporary remedial measures such as the import of small mobile power generation units and buying electricity from the Turkish-Cypriots. In the mid-term, before the current energy crisis, Cyprus planned to expand the installed capacity of photovoltaics (to generate electricity from the sun) from 8MW, in 2011, to 37MW, in 2015. Now, the Government has been provoked to reconsider its national energy policy with a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources.

Photovoltaics are only one part of the story. Wind power – off and onshore – offers great promise to fulfil much of the island’s needs – at a price. Wind power is the single highest cost per kWh of extracting a unit of electricity. Already, several onshore wind farms dot the island’s hills. Solar thermal (to generate space and water heating) is part of diversifying the renewable power generation mix of the island. The Cyprus government will grant permissions for 25mW solar thermal power plants, by 2013, and another 25mW by 2014.

The aim is to generate 13 per cent of the gross final energy consumption from renewable energy sources, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emission by 5 per cent, compared to the 2005 levels of 9.9m tonnes. The agreed targets are Cyprus’s response to meet unilateral EU member requirements to reduce GHG emissions by at, least 20 per cent, compared to 1990 levels; adopt energy efficiency measures indented to lower energy consumption by 20 per cent, relative to the business-as-usual scenario; lower primary energy use, compared to projected levels, by 20 per cent.

At domestic housebuilding level, it is a legal requirement that solar thermal panels are installed for all new homes. New homes must meet the EU standard Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level B. The exacting B building energy rating (0.51-1.0 kWh/m2/yr) can be achieved through a combination of high energy ‘envelope’ efficiency e.g. walls, roof and glazing, the installation of low energy light, heating and mechanical cooling/ventilation, and through micro-generation, for example solar PV and thermal.

Cybarco, probably best known for the exclusive Aphrodite Hills Resort, near Paphos, is leading the charge in Cyprus to meet exacting energy efficiency standards for the new homes it builds. The 40 spacious, luxury, contemporary-design villas at the company’s newly developed Akamas Bay Villas, located in Latchi, on the island’s beautiful west coast, achieve level B for building energy rating and have solar thermal installed (as they must). But that is only part of the luxury villas’ sustainability story that goes beyond the minimum standards legislated.

The villas have a high level of cavity wall insulation, to ensure the living spaces remain cool even in the high summer temperatures. Natural cooling is enhanced by the strategic placement of swimming pools between the sea (200 metres away at the bottom of the front row villas) and the houses. Cantilever balconies and painted aluminium sliding louvers provide additional natural shading. Grey water is collected and used for irrigation, all stone used for cladding is locally sourced, and low energy lighting is installed throughout. All of which adds to the all-enveloping sense of stylish, considered luxury. Villa prices start from €1.7m.

A similar attention to high-energy efficiency and sustainability is being practised at Limassol Marina. A collaborative initiative, backed by the Cypriot government, Cybarco are the developing partner in the venture. The residential and retail project, set on the water opposite the attractive old town, is a public as well as private space. Conceived in a Mediterranean vernacular – pitched red tile roofs, window shutters – the development has been designed by Xavier Bohl, who was mentored by Francois Spoerry, the architect who dreamed up the ever popular Port Grimaud in the South of France.

Purchasers of the waterside villas have their own private slip in front of their property. Villa prices start from €1,650,000 with a 15 metre berth and an 18m2 sundeck. The first apartments, priced from €450,000, located landside will be completed by the last quarter of 2012. Already, the infrastructure has been developed, including considerable land reclamation. The marina, which will be operated by Camper & Nicholsons, will be delivered at the same time. The considerable commercial area, including shops, restaurants and bars will be open by 2013.

Michalis Hadjipanayiotou, CEO Property Development at Cybarco, said: “The Limassol Marina is a flagship project not only for the companies involved in creating it but also for Limassol and the whole of Cyprus. It is by far the largest marina in Cyprus, where we currently only have three smaller ones. Cyprus is committed to providing higher quality sustainable tourism, and the Limassol Marina is the first step in achieving the ambition.”

Cybarco is not alone in Cyprus in its attention to sustainable residential development. The masterplan at Minthis Hills, developed by Pafilia, creates a harmonious balance between contemporary design and the environment by carefully integrating the development into the landscape to preserve and enhance the natural features, minimise site intervention and maximise views. The private residences have a passive solar design responding to both climate and site, and have been carefully nestled along the natural contours of the land to protect the hilltops and ridges. Prices start round €1m.

Uploaded October 2011

Gordon Miller

Gordon Miller is the Co-founder and Sustainability & Communications Director of membership organisation Sustain Worldwide (www.sustainworldwide.com). He is a licensed BREEAM International Assessor and consults to housebuilders and developers on sustainability matters. Gordon writes for national newspapers including the Financial Times and The Guardian.


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