EAC advances battery storage projects to cut renewable energy curtailments

Economy EACelectricityenergyrenewable energySolar energysolar powerTop News EAC advances battery storage projects to cut renewable energy curtailments Eac Advances Battery Storage Projects To Cut Renewable Energy Curtailments Relevant News Binge it or skip it: Scarpetta – Between past and present, a divisive puzzle 26 August 2026 EAC advances battery storage projects to cut renewable energy curtailments 26 August 2026 Wednesday to be scorching as yellow warning for extreme heat issued 26 August 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 26 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is developing battery energy storage projects at critical points on the grid in an effort to reduce curtailments of renewable energy for consumers’ benefit, alongside practical measures to make better use of green power generation, particularly in combination with photovoltaic systems and self-consumption. At Dhekelia Power Station, which the EAC aims to strengthen as the island’s second electricity generation hub, the authority is installing an 80MW/160MWh storage system. The contract was awarded to CYTA for €33,733,640, with a start date of February 9, 2026, and commercial operation expected around mid-September 2027. At Moni Power Station, licensing is under way for a storage system with a total capacity of 100MW and 200MWh. The Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) has issued the construction permit, and an application has been submitted to the Transmission System Operator of Cyprus (TSOC) for connection terms. The EAC is still awaiting an evaluation of the Information Report and an environmental opinion from the Department of Environment before the District Local Government Organisation (DLGO) of Limassol can complete its assessment of the town planning permit application. The Moni project is estimated to cost €50,000,000 and to take 12 months to complete, with construction expected to run from January to December of the same year. At Vasilikos Power Station, an application has been submitted for a storage system with a total capacity of 250MW and 640MWh. CERA has issued the construction permit, and the EAC is awaiting the Department of Environment’s review of the Information Report to complete the town planning permit assessment, while preparing a separate application to TSOC for connection terms. The authority is also examining suitable sites for smaller hybrid storage systems. According to the Information Report submitted to the Environmental Authority, the Vasilikos project is set to become one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in Cyprus in recent years, with a total budget of €118,500,000. It involves installing a battery system with a maximum power of 250MW and total storage capacity of 640MWh within the existing Vasilikos power station facilities, making use of the site’s high-voltage grid connections. The battery system will be installed on the northeastern side of the station, on land previously used for concrete production during the station’s construction. Until now, the inability to store surplus green energy during peak sunshine hours has forced the disconnection of photovoltaic systems to prevent blackouts on Cyprus’s isolated electricity grid. Once the storage projects are complete, green energy generated around midday will be stored in batteries and released into the grid during the afternoon and evening peak hours, when demand is highest. Subject to all necessary permits, the Vasilikos project is expected to start in May 2027 and be completed 18 months later, in October 2028. Vasilikos Power Station is Cyprus’s main electricity generation unit, covering most of the island’s energy needs, and falls under the SEVESO Regulations governing major hazard sites. The battery storage system works by electrochemically storing surplus electricity during periods of low demand and releasing it to the grid during periods of high demand. Connected to the national grid, it is expected to improve energy efficiency, optimise the management of available resources and support the smooth operation of the electricity system. Strengthening system reliability The projects aim to smooth out fluctuations between electricity production and demand, which have intensified with the growing penetration of renewables. This is expected to strengthen the reliability of the electricity system and support the transition to a more sustainable energy model. The EAC says the storage systems will reduce curtailments of renewable energy production by storing surplus power during low-demand periods and releasing it at peak times, while also stabilising the grid through rapid responses to changes in frequency and voltage. The systems are also expected to support ramp rate management, easing transitions between different production levels during sudden swings in renewable output, and to provide ancillary services such as frequency reserves (FCR, FRR), fast frequency response (FFR) and system inertia support. The EAC says the projects will strengthen the electricity system’s reliability and resilience to disturbances and support Cyprus’s green transition and national energy and environmental targets by reducing the need for conventional generating units to run during peak periods. Accident response measures The Information Report notes that a failure or accident at the storage facilities could have effects on the surrounding area. Based on the revised Safety Report for Dhekelia Power Station, a battery thermal runaway event could cause fire and gas release. A fire would release carbon monoxide and a flammable cloud, but the engineering design of the battery housings, combined with early detection and isolation systems, is intended to minimise the risk of a fire spreading. As a result, any fire is expected to be contained within a single housing, with only a small flammable cloud and limited release of toxic gases. Under the preliminary design, which the appointed contractor will finalise, the storage system will use lithium iron phosphate batteries, chosen for their long cycle life of 7,500 to 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, high thermal stability, safety and reliability. The batteries will be housed in prefabricated units with sealed doors under normal operating conditions, with the facility including up to 140 battery housings. Since battery capacity and performance degrade over time through charging, discharging and temperature effects, additional housings may be added later to maintain the unit’s 640MWh capacity. The BESS system’s operation will be monitored and controlled through the SCADA automation and telemetry system. 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