Energy Consumption Costs Soar For Cypriot Consumers

As Cyprus grapples with soaring temperatures, the financial burden on consumers due to increased energy consumption is becoming apparent. The Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) has reported a significant uptick in electricity bills, driven not by rising energy prices, but by extensive use of air conditioning units.

Rising Costs

According to the EAC President, George Petrou, electricity bills for June and July 2024 are projected to increase by approximately 1.5% compared to May. This rise is attributed to the heavy reliance on air conditioning, necessitated by the extreme heat. Petrou highlighted that while fuel prices have remained stable due to pre-purchased stock, the intense use of air conditioning has led to higher consumption rates, thereby increasing costs for consumers.

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Recommendations for Consumers

To mitigate these costs, the EAC advises consumers to use air conditioners judiciously. Petrou recommends setting air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius, noting that each degree lower can increase energy consumption by up to 6%. This means that setting an air conditioner to 18 degrees instead of 26 can lead to a 40% rise in energy usage. Consumers are also urged to ensure windows are closed while air conditioners are in operation to maximise efficiency.

Economic Implications

Kostas Karayiannis, Head of the Consumer Protection Service, pointed out that electricity costs and high interest rates are major concerns for households and businesses. While a recent decrease in fuel prices provided some relief, there is cautious optimism about the stability of these prices in the near future.

Government Measures

The Cypriot government has extended its subsidy on electricity prices and maintained a zero VAT rate on 11 essential consumer goods until October 2024. These measures aim to alleviate the financial strain on consumers during the peak summer months. Marios Drousiotis, President of the Cyprus Consumers Association, commended the government’s initiatives but cautioned that consumers will still face significant electricity bills due to the necessity of air conditioning in the high temperatures.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 24, 2026

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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