Savvas Vlachos

Cyprus Energy Agency

The Cyprus Energy Agency (CEA) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization, founded in 2009. CEA was co-funded by the European Commission, through the Programme "Intelligent Energy for Europe" and by the Cyprus Union of Communities, for its establishment and first three years of operation. CEA has become an information point for the local society, providing education and vocational training. It participates in projects in partnership with local, European, and international organisations, contributing to innovation, research, and sustainable development. It enhances the role of local authorities in sustainable energy planning, providing technical support for developing and implementing actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It supports the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy initiative, and it has a vision of a just, inclusive, and climate resilient Cyprus, governed by the principles of sustainability. Up to today the Cyprus Energy Agency has participated in more than 70 EU/National projects that cover a wide range of topics, such as Climate change mitigation and adaptation, Energy efficiency, Just transition, Renewable energy sources, Circular economy, Education and awareness, Financing and project facilitation. CEA coordinates a 3.4 M€ funded project (eea and Norway grants) on youth employment with 10 international partners. CEA also leads a contract for Project Development Assistance (funded by the European Commission) to be provided to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth of Cyprus in order to trigger investments of 7.5 Μ € in upgrading 25 school buildings into Nearly Zero Energy Buildings. Since 2022, CEA coordinates and supports four investments approved for funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Cyprus, to promote energy transition and climate adaptation in local authorities, to tackle energy poverty for disabled people and to mainstream the installation of publicly accessible EV chargers.