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Five Years After Brexit: Is The UK Better Off?

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 31, 2025

On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union, marking the end of nearly five decades of membership that had ensured free movement and trade with 27 other European nations. For Brexit supporters, this was a triumph, with the UK regaining control over its borders, laws, and economy. For its opponents, it represented isolation and a decline in global stature. Five years later, the UK is still grappling with the economic, social, and cultural ramifications of the decision.

Economic Consequences And Adjustments

Political scientist Anand Menon, director of the think tank Britain in a Changing Europe, describes the impact of Brexit as “profound” and believes that it has reshaped the UK’s economy. The years of deindustrialization cuts to public spending, and high immigration had created fertile ground for the argument that the UK needed to “take back control.” Despite the 52%-48% result of the 2016 referendum, the aftermath has been complicated.

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After years of disagreements on how to navigate the separation, including the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May, Boris Johnson promised to “get Brexit done,” leading to an agreement on Christmas Eve 2020. But this political departure has come at a high cost. Brexit has disrupted trade and supply chains, creating new economic barriers with the EU, which accounted for half of the UK’s trade.

In the wake of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the economic landscape has become even more unpredictable, making it difficult to isolate the full impact of Brexit from other global events. Nonetheless, there are clear signs that the UK’s economy has faced challenges, especially in trade and labor.

The Immigration Paradox

One of the key promises of Brexit was to reduce immigration, but the reality has been the opposite. Despite the end of free movement from EU countries, immigration to the UK has increased, with the government issuing more work visas to non-EU nationals than before Brexit. The rise of immigration has placed additional strain on the country’s services and housing, contributing to the sense of disillusionment for those who supported the exit as a means to curb migration.

Shifting International Dynamics

The UK’s position on the world stage has also changed since Brexit. The country now finds itself caught between Europe and its so-called “special relationship” with the United States. As populist movements rise globally, including the return of Donald Trump to power in the US, the UK faces a more uncertain future, with the international landscape less forgiving than it was in 2016. According to Menon, “The world is much less forgiving now than it was in 2016.”

Public Sentiment And The Future Of EU Relations

Polls show that public opinion on Brexit has soured over the years, with many now viewing it as a mistake. However, rejoining the EU seems unlikely, as the wounds of separation remain fresh. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected in 2024, has expressed a desire to “reboot” relations with the EU but has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union. Instead, he aims for modest changes, such as facilitating artist touring and recognizing professional qualifications, alongside enhanced cooperation on law enforcement and security.

The EU has responded positively to Starmer’s approach, recognizing the shift in tone from previous UK leadership. However, with rising populism and internal challenges, the EU’s priorities have shifted, and the UK is no longer at the top of the agenda.

Five years after Brexit, the UK’s future remains uncertain. While some of the initial promises of sovereignty have materialized, the economic, social, and political challenges stemming from the decision are far from resolved. The country’s strained relationship with Europe and the changing dynamics on the global stage suggest that the full consequences of Brexit may continue to unfold for years to come.

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2026

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.

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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.