Position: Curtailments are not inevitable — storage is a system-level solution

Curtailments of renewable generation in the Cyprus electricity system have reached levels that directly hit the bankability of projects and undermine the country’s 2030 targets.

What we observe

• Rising curtailment trend over recent years, peaking on sunny low-demand days.
• An uneven burden across producers, without transparent priority rules.
• Slow integration of storage despite mature technologies and investor appetite.

What SHAPEC proposes

1. A clear timetable for integrating standalone ESS into the system, prioritising projects that reduce curtailments.
2. Remuneration mechanisms for system services (frequency regulation, balancing, capacity), transparent and technology-neutral.
3. Transparent, objective curtailment rules based on technical criteria and equal treatment.
4. Faster grid upgrades in zones with high RES congestion.
5. Full participation of RES and ESS in a functioning competitive wholesale market.

A system-level issue

Storage is not an “add-on” to PV parks. It is critical electricity-system infrastructure, which:

• Captures energy that is currently lost.
• Supports adequacy and grid stability.
• Lowers the total cost of electricity to consumers over the medium term.

The full SHAPEC position is available to public authorities and the media on request: shapecyprus@gmail.com.