Benefits of using energy efficiently for the family budget, the economy and our island’s environment

The European Commission highlighted the benefits of using energy efficiently for the family budget, the economy and our island’s environment during an “Energy Efficiency” webinar organised in cooperation with Chamber of Electrical Engineers, Chamber of Architects, Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors Association and Union of Licensed Electricians Cyprus. The webinar was held on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 from 18:30 to 20:00 coinciding with EU Sustainable Energy Week and highlighting the European Green Deal, which promotes sustainable growth to improve people’s lives.

 

During the webinar, Görkem Çelik, the President of KTMMOB Chamber of Electrical Engineers talked about energy efficiency, EU standards and the current local situation; Osman Asilzade, the supervisor of Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors Association (KTEMB) and Dr. Stylianos Hirodontis, trainer of the Union of Licensed Electricians Cyprus who jointly run the EU funded Electrical Field Project, talked about their project as well as highlighted the role, importance and constraints of energy efficiency and electricity labour market in Cyprus. Finally, Kozan Uzunoğlu, the president of KTMMOB Chamber of Architects delivered a presentation on improvement of existing buildings for energy efficiency. The event was moderated by an academic in the field of electrical and electronics engineering, Associate Professor Dr. Murat Fahrioğlu. 

 

As part of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, an €11.44 million programme on energy efficiency was implemented between 2008 and 2013 aiming to improving the monitoring of energy consumption by installing remote-controlled electronic meters and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.  The programme also included the construction of a solar power plant to demonstrate the high-potential renewable energy resource in Cyprus. The EU funded Electrical Field Project jointly run by Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors Association (KTEMB) and the Union of Licensed Electricians Cyprus also aims to highlight the role, importance and constraints of energy efficiency and the electricity labour market in Cyprus.

The focus of the Aid Programme will continue to be on raising awareness, improving standards, increasing job creation and the competitiveness of local businesses, while providing longer-term green economic benefits for the entire island. An economic stimulus programme on energy efficiency is implemented with a focus on upskilling the labour force, creating jobs, and improving local businesses’ ability to deliver labour-intensive, innovative and local manufactured sustainable solutions.

Background:

The European Green Deal is EU’s new growth strategy. It will help cut emissions while creating jobs. The European Green Deal is about improving the well-being of people. Making Europe climate-neutral and protecting natural habitats will be good for people, the planet and the economy. The EU will become climate-neutral by 2050 - an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.  Reaching this target will require actions by all sectors of our economy. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The transition to a climate-neutral society is both an urgent challenge and an opportunity to build a better future for all.

 

Organised by the European Commission, the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe. On 22-26 June 2020, participants will enjoy an online, interactive event experience under the theme: ‘Beyond the crisis: clean energy for green recovery and growth’.  The major topics will include energy communities, energy systems, energy transition, finance, industry, just transition, renewables, renovation wave, sector integration, strategy and transport.