Operations of Strategic Importance

Description/Objective 

The project is part of the strategic planning for the transformation of the University Campus into a green and smart Campus able to respond, in a resilient manner, to the future challenges of the University’s growth in a sustainable context.

The aim of the project is to develop the technological background for the future energy management system of the Campus of the University of Cyprus, harnessing technological advancements in the field of renewable energy sources (RES) installation and smart energy management. This innovative effort involves the use of active green energy generation systems, energy saving systems and information and communication technologies, drawing on the expertise of the University’s members.

The overarching objective of the project is to integrate and contribute to the achievement of European and national targets for green transition to RES towards a low-carbon economy and increase the energy efficiency of public buildings.

The following actions are scheduled under the project:

1. Development of Phase A of “Apollon” Photovoltaic Park, with a capacity of 5 MW, along with an energy storage system of 3,3 MWh
2. Upgrading of Energy Centre A’
3. Upgrading of existing energy management systems in buildings
4. Supply and installation of smart metres and calorimeters in buildings
5. Supply and installation of an energy management system (monitoring and control) and a meteorological station.

Progress/Implementation Stage

A large part of the physical scope of the project has been completed. Specifically, the “Apollon” Photovoltaic Park was successfully connected to the grid and became fully operational in September 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project’s implementation. The activation of the Park makes a substantial contribution to increasing clean energy production and achieving sustainability goals. It is noteworthy that during the first six months of operation, the Photovoltaic Park’s production reached 4,9 GWh, which corresponds to a saving of 13,2 GWh of primary energy and the avoidance of 3.890 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

At the same time, the upgrade of the Energy Centre, which included the modernization of infrastructure and the improvement of the energy efficiency of the central heating networks, was successfully completed in March 2025.

The remaining project activities are currently in the stage of preparing the relevant tendering procedures. The tendering and awarding of these projects are expected to take place in the coming period, with the aim of fully completing all individual actions by the year 2028.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes

The project is expected to deliver significant benefits to multiple areas, such as the environment, the University’s operating costs and the upgrade of the services offered.

Potential benefits include the following:

• Improvement of energy efficiency and increase in the use of RES in public infrastructure.
• Reduction of energy consumption and consequently reduction of operating costs of the University of Cyprus.
• Sustainable Development – Environmental Protection.
• Creating a culture for young scientists to implement new technologies in industry.
• Establishment of a testbed for the development and testing of new technologies that can be thereafter applied to other public and private entities in Cyprus.
• Upgrading the services provided to students and the University’s  academic, administrative and external staff.
• “Campus as a Living Lab” – “Research Meets Practice” approach, which integrates functional and academic sustainability to address social issues.