Parliament bans commercial renewable energy projects on specific agricultural land

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill proposed by AKEL deputies Giannakis Gavriil, Andreas Pasiourtidis, and Valentinos Fakontis. The legislation prohibits the installation of commercial renewable energy systems on high-value, fertile, or irrigated agricultural land, as well as land within special protection zones or government irrigation projects. The law specifically allows for the installation of photovoltaic systems intended for the benefit of the agricultural and livestock sectors. Following consultations with state agencies, amendments were made to require mapping by the Department of Environment for high-value lands and certification by the Department of Agriculture for fertile or irrigated lands. Additionally, all parties agreed to remove the term 'productive land' from the final text. The parliament also passed a separate bill proposed by DIKO deputy Michalis Giakoumis, which aims to regulate the management and compensation of surplus energy for the benefit of citizens.