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Cyprus Faces 63% Cost Burden For Electrical Interconnector Project

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 30, 2024

Cyprus is set to bear significant financial responsibility for the Great Sea Interconnector, a project linking Cyprus and Greece via an underwater cable, according to the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (RAEK). Even without active participation in the project, Cypriot electricity consumers will shoulder 63% of the implementation costs. This decision stems from the Cross-Border Cost Allocation (CBCA) agreements between Cyprus and Greece, grounded in EU regulations.

RAEK’s President, Andreas Poulikkas, clarified this position in response to questions raised by MP Andreas Pasiourtidis. Despite the potential non-participation of Cyprus, the CBCA mandates that Cypriot consumers contribute towards the investment’s amortisation. The decision is crucial for securing €750 million in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), with €657 million already granted. An additional €100 million in grants is still required to meet the CBCA conditions.

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Failure to secure these funds would necessitate revisiting the CBCA, potentially increasing the financial burden on Cypriot consumers. The project’s operational cost recovery remains under review by the regulatory authorities.

Inclusion in the EU’s Project of Common Interest (PCI) list necessitates Cyprus’ support, highlighting the project’s strategic importance. The investor’s dossier, submitted to regulatory authorities, includes a detailed cost-benefit analysis, business plan, and substantiated CBCA proposal, emphasising the benefits to both Cypriot and Greek consumers.

The discussion in the Cypriot Parliament, led by various MPs, underscores the project’s implications for local consumers. The regulatory framework, governed by Cyprus’ Electricity Market Regulation Law and aligned with EU directives, indicates no parliamentary approval is needed, only the consent of national regulatory authorities.

This development marks a critical juncture for Cyprus’ energy strategy, potentially influencing the island’s energy independence and integration into the broader European grid. The outcome of this project will likely have far-reaching consequences for Cypriot consumers and the nation’s energy future.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.