Photo: iStock
The National Guard of Cyprus is about to install photovoltaic systems at its camps and on barracks and warehouses within a EUR 19 million program fully funded by the EU.
The energy transition and decarbonization are evident across European societies and economies. The modularity and affordability of the photovoltaics technology made it the most popular choice for combining with a vast number of activities. They range from agriculture, manufacturing and the transportation infrastructure to telecommunications, household self-supply, education and humanitarian efforts. Even armies want solar panels for their barracks.
Namely, Minister of Defence of Cyprus Vasilis Palmas said the island country’s National Guard would start installing PV plants in September. The works are fully covered with EUR 19 million from the European Union’s structural funds, through the Thalia program.
The solar power project for army barracks is more than one year late
Solar panels will be set up at Cypriot military camps and on warehouses, the minister revealed. The project should be completed by 2027, Palmas added. The initiative is part of the government’s environmental and clean energy policy, he pointed out.
The project was supposed to begin in the first half of 2023, after the ministry secured the funds almost two years ago. At the time, it estimated total capacity at 12 MW. The ministry earlier introduced waste management, energy savings and pollution control measures in the armed forces.
The EU has made defense one of its top priorities
Palmas said the House of Representatives has just adopted the proposal for cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC).
Notably, the European Council confirmed after the European elections last month that defense has become one of the EU’s top priorities.
Elsewhere in the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, Slovenia launched a project last year for solar power for a military barracks in Ljubljana. The Ministry of Defence even started a green hydrogen production and storage project.
Conversely, Albania opted for public-private partnerships for solar power plants at abandoned military airports.
Be the first one to comment on this article.