On 12 March 2025, a public presentation of the Draft Procedure Guide and Tender Documents for the provision of energy services in the public and wider public sector was held. The public presentation was held at the Jurnalist’s House, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (MECI), the Energy Service, and the Contractor of the relevant project, ideopsis ltd Energy and Environmental Consultants. The Public Presentation marked the completion of the public consultation on the draft documents and procedures prepared under this Project.

In the opening speech on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry (MECI), the special importance given by the Ministry to measures and policies that will lead to the faster transition of Cyprus to the green economy, as well as to the removal of all obstacles in this direction, was stressed. Among other things, reference was made to the Republic of Cyprus’ planning to achieve its Energy and Climate targets by 2030. These targets include, inter alia, a 33,17% share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in gross final energy consumption and a national cumulative energy saving of 349 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent at end-use.

The individual obligations for the public sector were also highlighted, including a 1,9% annual reduction in final energy consumption in public bodies compared to 2021 and the annual renovation of 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned or used by the public and wider public sector. In addition, a related obligation concerns the assessment by public bodies of the feasibility of using Energy Performance Contracts for renovations of large non-residential buildings with a total useful floor area of more than 750 square metres.

The aim of the project was to remove the barriers that have so far created reluctance in the public sector to purchase energy services and conclude Energy Performance Contracts, mainly due to the lack of guidance documents and the non-existence of available standardised procedures. In order to achieve this objective, a Guide for the standardisation of all relevant procedures, the preparation of the relevant documents for the launch of public tenders up to the conclusion and monitoring of the implementation of Energy Performance Contracts in the public and wider public sector has been developed. The Guide and the Tender Documents have been identified as a tool of crucial importance, not only for the achievement of energy saving targets by the public sector, but also to highlight its exemplary role, as well as to promote the use of Energy Performance Contracts by the private sector as well.

The promotion of the Guide to the public and private sector, together with the resolution of other problems, such as access to finance for Energy Service Providers and the use of private capital for energy efficiency projects, is expected to lead to a broad development of the energy services market in Cyprus. As mentioned, achieving the national energy targets and the transition to a green, sustainable, and competitive economy requires a coordinated and collective effort, while making the best use of our capabilities and the available European and national resources.

The workshop was attended by more than 50 people from public bodies, wider public sector bodies, representatives of local authorities, private energy auditors and representatives of Energy Service Providers.