Baghdad:Cyprus' Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michael Damianos, has called for enhanced investment in energy grids, storage, and interconnections across the European Union. His remarks came as he arrived for the EU Energy Council in Luxembourg, emphasizing the importance of considering the unique circumstances of individual member states, particularly concerning electricity.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Greek Minister for Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou announced plans to update his counterparts on the progress of the Greece-Cyprus interconnection. He highlighted the strategic significance of this project in ending Cyprus' energy isolation and its compliance with international maritime law.

Minister Damianos stressed the necessity of achieving tangible results in the energy transition for European citizens, focusing on energy security and the affordability of electricity. He underscored the need for solidarity among EU member states to achieve these goals.

Papastavrou reiterated the importance of building an inclusive energy union that benefits all EU citizens. Meanwhile, Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned of a challenging winter, noting that approximately 50 million Europeans may struggle to heat their homes due to high energy prices. He urged member states to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency.

Jørgensen acknowledged the progress made since the 2022 energy crisis, including reduced dependence on Russian gas, but cautioned that the current crisis also involves oil and oil products. Despite improved supply security, affordability remains a critical issue for many citizens.

Irish Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate, and Energy Darragh O'Brien, representing the EU Council presidency, expressed the intent to finalize the grids package and address network charges by December. He acknowledged differing member state positions on tax matters and anticipated a potential compromise. O'Brien highlighted the robustness of supply reserves but emphasized that cost remains a significant challenge for households and businesses.