The second Policy Axis seeks to make a significant contribution to green transition and environmental sustainability, through the achievement of national targets for climate neutrality, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. It promotes reforms in the fields of climate and energy, sustainable transport, water resources management and the wider environment.
This axis is also the most important in terms of the overall contribution of the Plan to the climate targets, which reaches 41% of the total budget of the Plan, with actions over €500 million that are diffused in almost all policy areas.
The Grant Scheme promotes the creation of the necessary infrastructure for electrification with the installation of recharging stations, with the aim of providing free public access to an extensive network of recharging points for electric vehicles. It is included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in the Policy Axis “Rapid transition to a Green Economy – Sustainable Transport”.
The Grant Scheme will be implemented in two phases, with a total available budget of €3.7m. The receipt of applications for Phase 1 was completed on 04/30/2023. The receipt of applications for Phase B will be until 31/07/2024 at 12:00 am. with sponsorships of €2.5m. The form of aid that will be granted is in accordance with the provisions of the General Exemption Regulation 651/2014 (GAK), emphasizing article 36a.
In Phase B of the plan, the installation of recharging stations for electric vehicles is financed, with an aid intensity of up to 45% depending on the category of the beneficiary. The maximum eligible expenditure per station is shown in Table 1 of the Grant Scheme and concerns the purchase cost of the recharging station, the installation cost and the cost of connection to the electricity supply network. In addition, an allocation limit per province and road network type applies for each recharging station sub-category, as defined in Table 2 as well as a station limit per beneficiary. Each beneficiary can receive sponsorship for eight recharging stations per province with a maximum number of twenty throughout Cyprus, with the exception of local authorities who can receive sponsorship to place up to fifteen stations within their territory.
The potential beneficiaries are natural persons, legal persons (Companies, Associations, Foundations), Non-Governmental Organizations, legal persons under public law, Local Government Authorities who are owners or tenants of “Parking spaces for public use”, and operate in areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. Eligible installation locations include parking lots for public use, municipal and community parking lots, private parking lots for the public, petrol station lots, recharging station lots and adjacent parking lots.
The eligible costs concern the purchase of the recharging station, the preparation of an electrical study, the installation of a recharging station, the connection to the electricity supply network, the marking of the road surface, the installation of a sign, the construction works and the auxiliary equipment, which are required for the installation of the station.
It is noted that the Recharging Points for electric vehicles must comply with the provisions of both the European AFIR Regulation (1804/2023) on the Promotion and Development of Alternative Fuel Infrastructures, and the Decree (K.D.P. 69/2022) with the technical requirements of electric vehicle recharging points, as amended or replaced from time to time.
The sponsorship request process will be done through an online platform, receiving an automated receipt notification and submission number. Then a preliminary check and evaluation of the application will be carried out and a final recommendation will be given to the Application Evaluation Committee and the applicant will then be informed electronically of the rejection or approval of his application. With the approval of the application, the applicant will sign a Public Funding Agreement and with the implementation of the investment and the submission of the necessary supporting documents, the sponsorship will be paid. The Department of Electromechanical Services or an authorized representative of the director, may carry out sample checks.
It is noted that, in the event of rejection of his application, the applicant has the right to appeal, which will be examined by an independent Committee for the Examination of Objections, which will be made up of employees of the Department of Electromechanical Services and the Cyprus Energy Office, which, upon examination of the objection, will recommend to the Director of the Electromechanical Services Department for a final decision.
Up to 45% depending on the category of the beneficiary.
Moreover, individuals exercising economic activity and legal persons under public law.
The Department of Electromechanical Services of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (http://www.mcw.gov.cy/ems) acts as coordinating body in Cyprus.
Contact Details of the National Contact Point:
Cyprus Energy Agency
Iosifina Petri
Civil Engineer
Telephone: +35722667768
Email: iosifina.petri@cea.org.cy
Stelios Kyprou
Mechanical Engineer
Telephone: +35722667839
Email: stelios.kyprou@cea.org.cy