Parliament will revisit a recently passed law restricting renewable energy projects on agricultural land on Thursday, April 23, after the presidency raised legal and constitutional concerns.
The House agriculture committee is due to examine the referral in the presence of the attorney-general and the ministers of agriculture, energy and interior.
The outcome will shape how Cyprus balances its push for renewable energy with the protection of agricultural land.
What does the law change?
The amendment bans the installation of renewable energy projects for commercial purposes on specific categories of land.
These include:
- fertile or permanently irrigated agricultural land
- land within irrigation schemes
- protected planning zones
- Natura 2000 areas
The measure targets large-scale commercial developments, rather than smaller systems used by farmers for their own needs.
Why did the presidency intervene?
The presidency referred the law back to parliament, raising concerns over:
- possible conflict with Cyprus’ obligations to the European Union on renewable energy targets
- potential infringement of property rights under Article 23 of the constitution
- separation of powers, as decisions on land use fall within the executive
The Law Office also expressed reservations about legal certainty and compatibility with EU law.
What is the policy dispute?
The disagreement reflects a broader tension in Cyprus’ energy policy.
On one hand, the country is under pressure to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy as part of its commitments to the European Union and its wider energy transition.
Recent policy direction has focused on expanding renewable energy capacity, modernising the electricity system and supporting the green transition as a core economic priority.
At the same time, concerns have grown over the siting of solar parks on productive agricultural land.
The rapid expansion of renewable energy projects in recent years has triggered reactions from farmers and local stakeholders, who have raised concerns about the loss of fertile land and the impact on agricultural activity.
Why is this issue surfacing now?
The debate comes as Cyprus is trying to scale up renewable energy while addressing structural constraints in its energy system.
These include:
- limited grid capacity
- the need for energy storage
- the absence of full interconnection with other electricity markets
At the same time, land-use planning for renewable projects has become increasingly contested, bringing the issue of where projects are located into sharper focus.
What do authorities say?
Different government bodies have taken varying positions on the amendment.
- The energy ministry argues the provisions should not be included in a harmonising law and should instead be regulated through planning legislation
- The agriculture department says the issue should remain under an existing policy framework that is under review
- The town planning department supports regulating the matter through planning tools rather than energy legislation
The agriculture ministry, meanwhile, supports the continued development of agrivoltaic systems, which combine electricity generation with agricultural production.
What happens next?
Under the constitution, parliament must decide within 15 days of the referral whether to accept it or insist on the law as originally passed.
The committee’s discussion on April 23 will be the next step in that process.
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