The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy Marios Panayides took part in an extraordinary meeting of the permanent secretaries of the European Union’s Energy Ministries in Paris on Tuesday, according to a press release of the Ministry of Energy. In his intervention he called, among other things, for additional measures at EU level to deal with high energy prices.
The meeting was convened by the French Presidency of the Council of the EU for the member states to conduct a final assessment of the report of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), regarding the wholesale electricity market, in the context of the ongoing energy crisis.
The representatives of the member states exchanged views on policy measures proposed by ACER, which aim, inter alia, to shield vulnerable consumers from volatile prices and to accelerate the integration of the European electricity market.
During the discussion, Panayides referred to the ways in which Cyprus has been affected by the increase in energy prices. Regarding the ACER report, he pointed out that different circumstances and energy mixes in the the Member States should be taken into account.
Panayides also spoke of the need to diversify energy sources, mainly through internal energy sources, and to improve interconnectivity with an emphasis on the transfer of green energy, promote cooperation with strategic partners such as Israel and Egypt in the energy sector and promote mechanisms to protect vulnerable consumers and businesses.
Most specifically on Cyprus, Panayides informed his counterparts on measures taken at a national level, but noted that despite measures prices remain high and called for additional measures at EU level as well as financial support within specific criteria.
The permanent secretary also noted that Cyprus is awaiting the publication of the Commission’s “RePowerEU” plan on 18 May.
Source: Cyprus News Agency