Breaking news

Cyprus Paves The Way To Energy Autonomy Through Renewable Innovation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2026

Renowned energy expert Michalis Drakoudis has presented a compelling case that Cyprus can achieve full energy independence by leveraging renewable resources. A new study, developed under the banner of the Energy Democracy initiative, demonstrates that the island nation can meet 93.5% of its annual electricity demand solely through renewables.

Data-Driven Analysis And Infrastructure Requirements

The study, based on thousands of hourly production, demand, and storage balance calculations for 2024, highlights that rooftop photovoltaic systems combined with centralized energy storage can deliver the bulk of Cyprus’ electrical needs. An additional 3,000 MW of rooftop solar installations and 9,100 MWh of energy storage are identified as prerequisites to reach near-total coverage, with the remaining 6.5% supplemented by limited conventional reserve or, eventually, seasonal storage via green hydrogen.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Robust Economic Case And Rapid Payback

The financial implications of this transition are highly attractive. With a total investment requirement of approximately €2.3 billion, current fuel and emission prices suggest a payback period of just 3.4 years. Post payback, the system’s operational costs approach zero, promising a lasting reduction in electricity bills for households and businesses alike, while keeping capital within the Cyprus economy and stimulating job creation.

Utilizing Surplus Energy And Enhancing Energy Democracy

The analysis further indicates that the annual surplus of renewable energy far exceeds any shortfall during periods of low production. This surplus presents significant opportunities beyond electricity supply, including water desalination and the medium-term production of green hydrogen for industrial use and seasonal storage. Meanwhile, existing thermal units would serve as security backups for rare or extreme conditions rather than functioning as the backbone of the system. Notably, the minimal land requirement, just 13 to 14 square kilometers of building rooftops, limits environmental impact and reinforces the transition of citizens from passive energy consumers to proactive energy producers.

Reforming The Electricity Market For Integrated Storage

The study also points out a critical market flaw: the current electricity purchasing model does not facilitate the development of state-run storage systems, which are essential for a small and isolated grid like Cyprus. Drakoudis advocates for a single-buyer model, akin to structures implemented in other small or insular markets, placing a central role in coordinating production, storage, and pricing. This model would streamline operations and further enhance economic efficiency.

A Strategic And Realistic Policy Choice

The central conclusion of the study is unequivocal: achieving energy autonomy for Cyprus is not only technologically feasible but also economically sound. The strategic shift towards renewables promises immediate and long-term benefits for cost of living, economic stability, and social cohesion. As the island positions itself for a future of low-cost, sustainable energy, it sets a benchmark for nations transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The research, with its meticulous analysis and forward-thinking recommendations, calls for decisive policy action to harness the full potential of renewable energy in Cyprus.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

by News Editor

August 24, 2026

Courts Are Still Applying Old Copyright Rules To AI

AI companies train models on enormous amounts of published material, including books, articles and academic research. Whether using that content without authors’ permission violates copyright law remains unresolved.

Much of the debate centres on fair use, which allows copyrighted material to be used without permission in certain circumstances. Courts consider factors such as the purpose of the use, how much material was involved and its impact on the original market.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Anthropic Case Sets An Important Precedent

A major case involving Anthropic and a group of authors provided one of the clearest rulings so far. Judge William Alsup found that using copyrighted books to train AI models was lawful, comparing the process to people reading and studying literature before creating something new.

Anthropic was nevertheless ordered to pay $1.5 billion in a settlement. The penalty concerned books the company had obtained from illegal online libraries rather than the AI training itself.

For AI companies, that distinction could prove significant because it separates studying copyrighted material from directly copying it.

Competition Could Be The Key Issue

A case involving Thomson Reuters and Ross Intelligence offers a different perspective. A court ruled that Ross could not claim fair use after using Reuters’ copyrighted material to develop a competing AI-powered legal research platform.

The decision suggests courts may be less willing to consider AI training fair use when copyrighted content is used to build a product that directly competes with the original.

For authors, an unresolved question is whether AI-generated content should be considered competition for the works used to train these models.

The Law Has Yet To Catch Up

US copyright law predates generative AI by decades, leaving courts to apply old principles to new technology. Questions also remain over copyright protection for AI-generated works. In Thaler v. Perlmutter, a court ruled that material created entirely by AI cannot receive copyright protection.

Major AI companies remain involved in copyright litigation, and different courts could reach different conclusions. For now, there is no universal rule: the legality of AI training will depend on the circumstances of each case and how courts ultimately interpret copyright and fair use.