Cyprus has moved closer to reaching the European Union’s renewable energy target by 2020 (20% energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. from renewable sources), and to reaching its specific target of supplying 13 %  from such sources.  The first windfarm in Cypress, near Paphos, owned by the local DK WindWind occurs due to different temperature levels in the atmosphere (troposphere) which are heated up by the sun. A typical example are the trade winds at the equator where the sun is most powerful.. Supply Ltd.,  is the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean region. It is expected to be operational by the summer of 2010!

The 82 megawatt Orites wind farm, consisting of 41 wind turbinesA wind turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from the flow of wind. The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft with blades attached. Wind energy acts on the blades, or the blades react to wind, so that they rotate and impart energy to the rotor. ..., is expected to reduce Cyprus’ carbon emissions by 100.000 tons annually. In fact, the farm will produce 10% of the island’s total energy generation capacity, and represents almost 3 percent of Cyprus’s requirements toward EU regulations and targets.  In the long run, the project is approved for a total of 140 megawatt when complete.  It’s promoted by the European Renewable Energy Fund and it’s also the first of such projects to benefit from a new 20 year fixed rate tariff that was recently agreed by the government and the EU Commission.  This is an important factor in order to provide financing for the 170 million euro project. Financing for this venture was secured by British company Platina Partners,  the European Investment Bank provided EUR 65 million.

Traditionally seen as a summer holiday destination, the Mediterranean island has enough wind capacity to keep the towering white windmillsTraditional use of windpower - often seen at old mills. turning to powerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan. 50,000 households, save 100,000 tons of carbon emissionsEmissions of greenhouse gases, greenhouse gas precursors, and aerosols associated with human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, livestock, fertilisation, etc. (IPCC) and produce 120,000 Kilowatt hours of energy annually.

DK Wind Supply Chairman Akis Ellinas, whose brainchild this wind parkA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... is, said: “It was very difficult because we faced governmental people who had no idea what energy or wind farmsA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... meant. Some people thought it was a monster, others, something from space.” He managed to satisfy the skeptics by proving that wind energyWind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. By 2010, a single wind turbine can produce several MW of electric power. continues to be the only advanced technology ready and able to deliver renewable power on a large scale. Energy from wind power also has a shortest amortization time compared to solar powerPhotovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting sunlight directly into electricity. Solar power is sometimes used as a synonym to refer to electricity generated from solar radiation. and other forms of renewable energiesRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil..

With about 6m/s mean wind speed, the area is well suited for the installation of wind powerWind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. By 2010, a single wind turbine can produce several MW of electric power..  Economic utilization of wind energy is possible for mean wind speeds between about 8m/s (off-shore) to about 4.5 m/s. Lower wind speeds require higher towers, and modern technology can maximize power production. The Orites wind farmA group of wind turbines interconnected to a common power provider system through a system of transformers, distribution lines, and (usually) one substation. Operation, control, and maintenance functions are often centralized through a network of computerized monitoring systems, supplemented by ... is installing the Vestas 2MW V90 turbinesA turbine transforms kinetic energy into mechanical energy and provides the generator with rotation..

This project is hopefully an incentive for other countries to follow suit, and invest in wind projects on such a large scale.