EIB survey: 88% of Cypriots see the energy transition as urgent, the highest share in the EU

The European Investment Bank (EIB) published the Cyprus results of its eighth Climate Survey on Thursday, 5 November. 88% of Cypriots consider the energy transition urgent for their country, compared with an EU average of 75%, and 55% expect it to lower their energy bills, compared with 20% in the EU; both are the highest shares among member states.

The price effect. 72% of Cypriot respondents say higher prices for gas, vehicle fuel, heating oil or electricity have significantly reduced their purchasing power over the past 12 months (EU: 60%), and 25% describe the effect as "very significant" (EU: 20%). 47% have cut spending on food or health (EU: 38%), 25% have turned down the heating, and 20% have borrowed, sought financial help or delayed paying an energy bill (EU: 16%).

What Cypriots expect. 89% expect the transition to bring lower or steadier prices, and another 89% less dependence on imported oil and gas. As risks of a slow transition in the EU, 86% cite higher long-term energy prices and living costs (EU: 79%) and 84% greater dependence on imports (EU: 78%), both the highest shares in the Union.

Preferred sources. Solar power is the first choice, at 81% (EU: 52%), followed by natural gas at 47%, compared with 10% in the EU. Wind received 18%. 66% support member states jointly financing the investments (EU: 59%). "Cyprus has more sunshine than almost anywhere in Europe, and Cypriots want to turn it into lower energy bills," said EIB Vice-President Marek Mora.

Methodology. The survey was conducted by Ipsos bva between 3 and 25 August 2026 among 23,000 people aged 16 and over in the 27 member states, including 500 in Cyprus.

Real-time data for the country are on the country page