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Eurobank Among First Greek Companies To Receive New Diversity Seal

Eurobank has emerged as one of the first 41 companies in Greece to receive the newly introduced Diversity Seal, a state-backed distinction designed to recognise employers that put equality, diversity and inclusion into practice.

State Recognition For Inclusion In Action

The award was presented under an initiative launched by Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family to recognise private-sector organisations that have embedded equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion into their business operations.

Presented on June 18, 2026, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, the initiative aims to give formal recognition to companies that integrate inclusive practices into their workplace culture. Eurobank was represented at the ceremony by Group Chief Human Resources Officer Natassa Paschali.

A Structured Framework For Accountability

The Diversity Seal is the first organised state initiative in Greece designed to assess and recognise companies for implementing equal-opportunity policies and preventing workplace discrimination.

Assessments are based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, examining not only company policies but also how inclusion is reflected in workplace culture, hiring practices and workforce composition.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to establish a structured framework for evaluating and recognising diversity and inclusion practices across the private sector.

Eurobank Frames Inclusion As A Business Priority

Eurobank said the distinction reflects its long-standing commitment to creating a modern and inclusive working environment. According to the bank, respect, collaboration and equal opportunities are central to its corporate culture, while employees play an important role in fostering a workplace where diversity supports creativity, development and progress.

The bank also said its diversity, equality and inclusion policy is aligned with its core values and is intended to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to develop without discrimination.

That commitment applies regardless of personal characteristics, age, gender, family status, physical or mobility-related challenges, sexual orientation, social and economic background, or other characteristics and beliefs.

Why The Award Matters Now

The recognition comes at a time when environmental, social and governance considerations, including diversity and inclusion policies, are drawing greater attention from regulators, investors and businesses across Europe.

In that environment, workplace inclusion is increasingly viewed as more than a human resources initiative. It is becoming part of the broader governance and reputation agenda, with implications for resilience, culture and stakeholder trust.

Government And Corporate Leaders Emphasise Practice Over Promises

Commenting on the award, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou congratulated Eurobank and said diversity and inclusion should be reflected in everyday business operations rather than remain at the level of policy commitments. She noted that the Diversity Seal is awarded only after a formal evaluation process confirming that companies apply inclusion policies in practice.

“In a sector that is directly linked to trust, access and service for citizens, equality and inclusion cannot remain at the level of declarations,” Michailidou said. “They must be reflected in the way a bank organises its daily operations, supports its people, provides equal opportunities for advancement and creates a working environment free from exclusion.”

Paschali described the distinction as recognition of Eurobank’s long-term commitment to building an inclusive workplace and credited the bank’s employees with shaping its culture.

“Receiving the Diversity Seal is an important recognition of our commitment to creating a modern and deeply human working environment,” she said. “This distinction belongs to the people of Eurobank, who every day help shape a culture of respect, collaboration and inclusion.”

She also thanked the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family for the initiative, adding that Eurobank would continue investing in actions that strengthen equal participation, development and opportunities for everyone.

Part Of Greece’s Wider Recovery Agenda

The Diversity Seal is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family through the “Awareness of Diversity” initiative under Greece’s “Greece 2.0” National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The programme is funded through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU initiative, which supports reforms and investments aimed at strengthening social cohesion, economic resilience and sustainable development across member states.

Cyprus Home Solar Enters A New Era: What Net Billing, Curtailments And Storage Mean For Households

Residential photovoltaic systems in Cyprus are entering a new phase. The transition from net metering to net billing, growing curtailments of renewable generation, the increasing role of battery storage, changes to subsidy schemes and the launch of the competitive electricity market are reshaping the economics of rooftop solar for thousands of households.

Those changes have direct implications for both existing and prospective solar owners. They affect the financial performance of residential systems while raising practical questions about self-consumption, electricity exports and whether investing in battery storage now makes economic sense.

Drawing on publicly available information and updates from the relevant energy authorities, the following overview outlines the most important developments and answers some of the questions most frequently raised by residential consumers.

From Net Metering To Net Billing

For years, net metering has been the standard model for residential photovoltaic systems in Cyprus. Publicly available data indicate that around 100,000 households currently operate under the scheme, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 450 MW, representing about 43% of the country’s total solar capacity.

From 1 January 2026, however, new residential solar installations will no longer qualify for net metering and will instead be connected under the net billing framework. The change fundamentally alters how electricity is valued, making it increasingly important for prospective investors to reassess the economics of a new installation.

Why The Difference Matters

The key difference between the two systems lies in how imported and exported electricity is settled.

Under net metering, electricity imported from and exported to the grid is offset on a bi-monthly basis using energy quantities. Any surplus generation is carried forward to the next settlement period, while electricity shortfalls are billed at the applicable retail tariff. Depending on the contract, accumulated surpluses are generally reset without compensation after three years.

Net billing works differently. Settlement is based on the monetary value of electricity rather than the amount of energy generated. Power exported to the grid is compensated at the wholesale price, while electricity imported from the grid is charged at the retail tariff. In practice, households sell electricity at a lower price than they pay to buy it back, making self-consumption significantly more valuable than under the previous system.

Why Storage Is Becoming More Important

Battery storage increases self-consumption by storing surplus solar energy for use later in the day, when photovoltaic panels are no longer generating electricity. That makes storage considerably more valuable under net billing, where maximising on-site consumption has a greater impact on overall savings.

Even so, installing batteries remains an investment decision that depends on installation costs, system size and future technology prices. For many households, however, battery storage is evolving from an optional upgrade into an increasingly important tool for protecting long-term returns.

What Happens To Existing Net Metering Contracts

Existing net metering agreements remain valid until they expire, typically after 15 years, and are not affected by the rules governing new installations.

Once those agreements come to an end, homeowners will be able to move to net billing or consider other options available under the competitive electricity market.

What Happens To Accumulated Surpluses

Most net metering agreements provide for accumulated energy surpluses to be reset after one or three years, depending on the terms of the contract. Some older agreements still provide compensation for unused surpluses, although such arrangements have become increasingly uncommon.

At the beginning of 2026, EPC Supply decided, under the framework of the 2024 renewable energy grant scheme, that accumulated surpluses would be reset without compensation. The company also decided that the reset would recur every three years for all affected contracts.

The decision prompted strong reactions from residential solar owners, leading to parliamentary debate and a presidential referral. The matter is now awaiting a final decision by the Council of Ministers.

Are New Support Schemes Available

The policy shift is also reflected in changes to government support programmes. The popular Fotovoltaika Gia Olous scheme ended on 31 December 2025, and no replacement grant programme is currently available.

A new scheme, Anavathmizo – Exoikonomo, is expected to launch in September 2026 with a budget of €20 million. It will focus on residential energy upgrades and is expected to support the installation of photovoltaic systems combined with battery storage. The approach is consistent with the European Union’s “energy efficiency first” principle, which prioritises reducing energy consumption before expanding generation capacity.

Residential Solar And The Competitive Electricity Market

Another significant change is the opportunity for residential solar owners to participate in the competitive electricity market. Under the current regulatory framework, households that are not participating in subsidy schemes may monetise surplus electricity through agreements with licensed electricity suppliers or aggregation entities operating in the market.

That creates new commercial opportunities, but it also places greater emphasis on understanding technical limitations, contractual arrangements and market pricing. As the market evolves, informed decision-making is becoming increasingly important.

Why Curtailments Happen

Curtailments remain one of the most frequently discussed issues among residential solar owners. Every electricity system must continuously balance generation with demand to maintain grid stability.

When solar production is high but electricity demand is low, the grid can experience oversupply conditions that threaten the security of supply. In those circumstances, the Cyprus Transmission System Operator may instruct the Distribution System Operator (EAC) to temporarily reduce photovoltaic generation.

Curtailments follow a specific order of priority. Large-scale solar parks are limited first, followed, where necessary, by newer residential installations. Older household systems, which account for roughly half of all residential photovoltaic installations, were connected without ripple-control equipment and are therefore not subject to curtailment.

Can Curtailments Be Avoided

One option is to operate a photovoltaic system in zero-export mode, either temporarily or permanently.

Under this configuration, the electricity generated is consumed within the property rather than exported to the grid, unless temporary exports are permitted. Whether this improves the financial outcome depends on several factors, including household consumption patterns, system size and the presence of battery storage.

Operating completely off-grid is possible only with approval from the relevant authorities and is generally limited to remote locations where a grid connection is impractical. Such systems require a technical study by a qualified electrical engineer and typically combine photovoltaic panels with battery storage. A backup diesel generator is usually required to ensure a reliable power supply.

Homeowners planning to expand or modify an existing photovoltaic installation must also obtain the necessary approvals from EAC Supply. Depending on the scope of the changes, a revised agreement or the installation of ripple-control equipment may be required.

A Market Reset For Homeowners

Residential solar in Cyprus is entering a new operating environment. Net billing, curtailments, battery storage, changes to surplus treatment and the gradual liberalisation of the electricity market are reshaping the economics of rooftop photovoltaic systems.

For households considering a new installation, understanding self-consumption, battery economics and future electricity pricing will become increasingly important. Existing system owners, meanwhile, will need to assess how evolving market rules may affect their current agreements and long-term returns.

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