Energy Transition Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Prospects for a Green Energy Dialogue in Divided Cyprus

The report examines the shift from a fossil-fuel-based geopolitical paradigm to one led by renewables in the Eastern Mediterranean. It argues that while hydrocarbon discoveries have historically escalated tensions over maritime boundaries, the transition to clean energy offers new opportunities for regional and inter-communal cooperation. Specifically, it proposes several technical and policy-driven 'green dialogue' initiatives for divided Cyprus, such as shared energy storage in the buffer zone and renewable energy trade, to build trust and align the island with EU climate goals.

• The Eastern Mediterranean is experiencing climate change faster than global trends, with annual mean temperatures already 1.5°C higher than pre-industrial levels.
• Hydrocarbon discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean have historically increased tensions between Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece regarding maritime boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
• Major electricity interconnection projects, the EuroAsia Interconnector and the EuroAfrica Interconnector, aim to stabilize regional power supply and link Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Europe.
• The Republic of Cyprus (RoC) remains highly vulnerable in terms of energy security, operating a power generation system in complete isolation that depends on imported heavy fuel oil and gasoil.
• The de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is almost entirely dependent on imported fuel oil, with solar capacity currently supplying only 6 percent of its total electricity consumption.
• A synchronized interconnector established in 2019 allows the north and south of Cyprus to share electricity during emergency power system failures, serving as a confidence-building measure.
• The report proposes four specific policy options for a 'green energy dialogue' in Cyprus: launching green energy trade via the existing grid, establishing bi-communal energy storage in the buffer zone, increasing electric vehicle charging stations in the north, and facilitating EU-funded energy renovations for public buildings island-wide.

APA

Sülün, E. E. (2022). Energy Transition Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Prospects for a Green Energy Dialogue in Divided Cyprus. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4fb86a52-3e69-4c81-aea8-be3210e00b2c/6 2022 Energy Transition Geopolitics.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Sülün, Emine Eminel. Energy Transition Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Prospects for a Green Energy Dialogue in Divided Cyprus. Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2022. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4fb86a52-3e69-4c81-aea8-be3210e00b2c/6 2022 Energy Transition Geopolitics.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sülün |first1=Emine Eminel |title=Energy Transition Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Prospects for a Green Energy Dialogue in Divided Cyprus |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=2022 |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4fb86a52-3e69-4c81-aea8-be3210e00b2c/6 2022 Energy Transition Geopolitics.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sln2022energy, author = {Sülün, Emine Eminel}, title = {{Energy Transition Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Prospects for a Green Energy Dialogue in Divided Cyprus}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2022}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/4fb86a52-3e69-4c81-aea8-be3210e00b2c/6 2022 Energy Transition Geopolitics.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }