=Paper= {{Paper |id=Vol-2030/HAICTA_2017_paper56 |storemode=property |title=Residents’ Information About Renewable Forms of Energy in the Island of Cyprus |pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2030/HAICTA_2017_paper56.pdf |volume=Vol-2030 |authors=Paraskevi Karanikola,Stilianos Tampaki,Filippos Florou,Zoe Tampakis |dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/haicta/KaranikolaTFT17 }} ==Residents’ Information About Renewable Forms of Energy in the Island of Cyprus== https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2030/HAICTA_2017_paper56.pdf

Residents’ information about renewable forms of energy
in the island of Cyprus

Paraskevi Karanikola1*, Stilianos Tampakis1, Filippos Florou1, Zoe Tampaki2
1
Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources,
Democritus University of Thrace, 68200, Orestiada, Greece (pkaranik@fmenr.duth.gr,
stampaki@fmenr.duth.gr, filippos.florou@gmail.com)
2
Department of Forestry and Natural Environment
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (ztampaki@for.auth.gr)

Abstract. In recent years, a shift has been observed in several countries
towards the exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for socio-
economic and environmental purposes. The present research was conducted on
the island of Cyprus, where five wind parks have been in operation since 1992,
with a total annual capacity of 4,740 MW. The data collection was carried out
in 2015 using a structured questionnaire, and involved the residents as
electrical energy consumers. In particular, their views were studied regarding
their disposition towards the installation of RES systems in their island, and its
importance in the protection of the environment. Also they were asked about
the most important means and the level of information they derive for RES,
their willingness to pay more for the production of 20% more RES energy and
the use of energy performance measures for buildings.

Keywords: Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Public perceptions, means and
degree of information, willingness to pay, Cyprus Island

1 Introduction

The economic growth of any country is closely related to the availability, export,
distribution and use of energy (Tsantopoulos et al. 2014; Wolsink 2007). At the same
time, the increased global rate of energy consumption puts development at risk, as
well as any effort to safeguard our living standards into the future. An accelerate
integration of RES is considered to be imperative for Cyprus in order to fulfill its
goals for 2020 which state that 20% of its gross national energy consumption and
40% of its gross electricity consumption must be covered by RES (Kaldellis et al.,
2012). The problem of identifying alternative forms of energy becomes even greater
in the case of island regions, whose connection to the national grid is often either
impossible or very problematic in its operation (Kaldellis and Zafirakis 2007). The
problem of energy efficiency in island regions has two aspects. On the one hand,
most islands present a major population increase during the summer (Tampakis et al.,
2013), thus necessitating an uninterrupted, reliable electricity supply. On the other
hand, the installation of alternative energy forms must not cause any distortion to the

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landscape, which may impact on the development of tourism. As regards the Cyprus
Island, there is a constant and rapid increase in electricity consumption, which in
some cases exceeds 10% on an annual basis. The increase in the demand for
electricity, especially during the summer months, has been addressed to date through
the installation of additional thermal units for electricity generation, in order to avoid
any major failures of the electricity grid, which requires particular support during the
tourist season. The absence of an integrated plan for dealing with the electricity
supply problem results in minimally reliable solutions.
At this point the public positively views the framework ‘Renewable Energy
Sources’ on an individual level, but do not have sufficient information on the topic.
What is noted, is the fact that the public expects more interventions by the State and
more information from the Mass Media, while expecting less from the local
community; another important parameter is the cost and financing of technologies
and investments (Tampakis et al. 2017; Mirza et al. 2012).
The above observations point to the necessity of a national public awareness
strategy in Cyprus, which will include campaigns from the mass media and the press,
along with information on RES technologies that can be applied on an individual,
local and national level. The present survey also has a similar focus, its aim being to
present the views of the citizens of Cyprus, on a series of issues related to their intend
to pay more many in order to product alternative forms of energy.
The conclusions of the survey will comprise an important tool both for its
continuation and for policy-makers in order for them to map out a more effective
policy on a local and national level. The study of citizens’ views in the present
survey can constitute a starting point and an essential tool for authorities, so that they
adapt their decisions to the new state of affairs in accordance with the protection and
development of energy resources.

2 Materials and Methods

The study area was the island of Cyprus, the third biggest island in the Mediterranean
basin (9,251 km²) where live 840, 407 residents. The sampling method used was
simple random sampling. In order to estimate the size of the sample, a pre-sampling
was conducted on a sample size of 50 persons. Thus, the variance or standard
deviation was estimated for each quantitative variable, and the proportion for each
qualitative variable. The size of the sample was estimated according to the formulae
of simple random sampling with replacement. The finite population correction can be
ignored since the sample size n is large compared to the population size Ν (n/N = 50
/10,009 = 0.00499 i.e. approximately 0.5. If the estimated sample sizes are similar
and the size of all lies within the financial means of the sampling, then the sample
size selected is the largest one. In this way, the variable with the highest variance is
estimated with the desired accuracy and the rest with a higher accuracy than
originally determined. Thus, the sample size was set at 385 people. The residents in
the sample were then identified using random numbers we obtained from random
number tables. Face-to-face interviews were carried out. The data collection took

463
place in 2016. The specific research was conducted using a structured questionnaire
and face-to-face interviews.
To the group of variables frequency analysis with more than two criteria was
carried out. The hierarchical loglinear analysis was also applied. Prior to the
initiation of the loglinear analysis (in particular of the hierarchical) it is intentional to
examine the size of the expected frequencies in the crossing table. Large number of
the expected frequencies (higher than 20%) with rate lower than 5 – but not lower
than 1, run the risk of leading to the power loss of the applied analysis . This
examination is carried out with control of double-sided crossing tables through the
SPSS program.
The classes of variables were grouped in order to satisfy the above mentioned
conditions. Our data are classified in accordance with 4 criteria and express
frequencies. The assumption Ho is: Ho : 4 criteria are fully independent from each
other. It is unlikely for this assumption to be accepted, but the analysis will allow the
precise level of various interrelations and will be included in a model that expresses
the da-ta interrelations.
Statistic controls of optimum adjustment are used for the estimation of the
correspondence degree between the model and the data. Statistical significance
shows that the examined model does not represent the observed frequencies
perfectly, whereas the statistical non-significance means that the examined model is
adjusted to the observed frequencies respectively. X2 test is applied.
Loglinear analysis forms a special case of multiple regression analysis according to
which one or more variables relate to others, in the framework of a multidimensional
crossing table. During this analysis, all homogrades are considered independent and
any recess of the crossing table dependent.

3 Results and Discussion

First the demographic characteristics recorded and according to the data of the
questionnaire there is predominance of women (52%). The majority is in the age
group of 31-40 years (34%) and has higher education either in University (32%) or at
a Technological Education Institute (15%). Most of them are public servants (25%)
or self-employed (23%) with annual income 15-20.000euros (27%).
The primary data collected and presented in this research related to the socio-
demographic characteristics of the respondents and attitudes on the degree of
information regarding RES and willingness to pay more for the production of 20%
RES more energy and the use of energy performance measures for buildings.
Then the respondents were asked about the importance of the installation renewable
forms of energy in their island as a mean to the protection of the environment.
According to the results of the survey 34.2% (sp=0.0237) of the respondents stated
that it is very important and 42.8% (sp=0.0247) important 22.2% (sp=0.0206)
unimportant and 0.8% (sp=0.0043) very unimportant. The above attitude of the

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residents is always correlated to the proper information they must have. So the
respondents were asked then about how informed they were about renewable energy
systems can be used in homes for the production of electricity: 36.0% (sp=0.0239) of
the residents were absolutely informed, while 41.2% (sp=0.0246) were sufficiently
informed. Only 19.8% (sp=0.0197) have adequate information and only 3%
(sp=0.0078) of them were not at all informed. Regarding the evaluation of the
sources of information on RES citizens stated that they are mainly informed by the
Media. More specifically they draw information from internet, TV, radio, leaflets,
newspapers also from their family and friends (Table 1).

Table1. Information about the Renewable Energy Sources
Very Very
Variables important Mediocre unimportant
important unimportant
% 36.0 45.8 18.0 0.2
Family and friends
sp 0.0240 0.0249 0.0190 0.0025
% 26.2 62.5 11.2
Education
sp 0.0220 0.0242 0.0158
% 50.0 41.5 8.5
TV- Radio
sp 0.0250 0.0246 0.0139
% 40.0 49.8 10.2
Newspapers
sp 0.0245 0.0250 0.0152
% 27.5 54.2 17.5 0.5 0.2
Books and encyclopedias
sp 0.0223 0.0259 0.0188 0.0035 0.0025
% 57.8 30.0 12.0 0.2
Internet
sp 0.0247 0.0229 0.0162 0.0025
% 49.0 38.8 11.8 0.2 0.2
leaflets
sp 0.0250 0.0244 0.0161 0.0025 0.0025
% 17.2 21.5 45.8 14.5 1.0
Personal contact with the companies
sp 0.0189 0.0205 0.0249 0.0176 0.0050
% 23.5 17.0 39.5 18.5 1.5
Voluntary organizations
sp 0.0212 0.0188 0.0244 0.0194 0.0061

It is important to clarify whether this positive attitude expressed by the
respondents concerning RES involves a general attitude to life. Thus, they were
asked whether they would be willing to pay more in order for 20% more of generated
power to be produced by RES. Fig. 1 shows that with the exception of 12.2%, of the
respondents who do not agree to pay for such an increase, the other respondents
agree to an increment in the price of electricity ranging from 5% to 20%.

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10.1-20%;
24.2%;
sp=0.0214

> 20%; 4.2%;
sp=0.0101

5-10%;
35.0%; Did not
sp=0.0238 answer;
12.2%;
sp=0.0164

< 5%; 24.2%;
sp=0.0214

Fig.1. Acceptance of increase electricity price for the production of 20% RES energy

In addition, 47.2%, sp=0.0250 agree with the use of energy performance measures
for buildings, i.e. with the need for an energy performance certificate for houses to be
rented out or sold. 27.2% (sp=0.0223) of the respondents are opposite to this and
25.5% (sp=0.0218) of them neither agree nor disagree.
Following the application of hierarchical loglinear analysis to the above variables, we
have interaction per 3 criteria, because the X2 for Pearson’s test is 5.910 with
probability (p)=0.315 and because the X2 likelihood ratio is 7.938 with probability
(p)=0.160. The above-mentioned results are confirmed by the zero/“null” controls for
the interaction of the k terms and the terms of higher degree, as well as the “null”
controls for the interaction of the k terms (Norusis 1994). In fact, for three pairs of
variables there is a statistically significant interaction:
In addition, 47.2%, sp=0.0250 agree with the use of energy performance measures for
buildings, i.e. with the need for an energy performance certificate for houses to be
rented out or sold. 27.2% (sp=0.0223) of the respondents are opposite to this and
25.5% (sp=0.0218) of them neither agree nor disagree.
Following the application of hierarchical loglinear analysis to the above variables, we
have interaction per 3 criteria, because the X2 for Pearson’s test is 5.910 with
probability (p)=0.315 and because the X2 likelihood ratio is 7.938 with probability
(p)=0.160. The above-mentioned results are confirmed by the zero/“null” controls for
the interaction of the k terms and the terms of higher degree, as well as the “null”
controls for the interaction of the k terms. In fact, for three pairs of variables there is
a statistically significant interaction:
The residents stated as very important for the protection of the environment, the
installation of renewable forms of energy in their island, were absolutely or
sufficiently informed about the installation of RES. Also they agree with the use of
energy performance measures for buildings and the increment of the electricity price
more than 10%. Oppositely the residents were of the opinion that the installation of
RES in their houses does not correlate to the protection of the environment and they
were adequate informed about RES. Also they are negative to the adoption of energy
performance measures for buildings and the increment of the electricity price more
than 10%.

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4 Discussion - Conclusions

Renewable energy systems can be a solution to provide dependence for small
communities (Neves et al 2014) and Cyprus Island can be a good application to this.
As revealed by the statistical analysis, the questionnaire constitutes a valid and
reliable tool. Therefore, except for its use in the current research, it can be used as
such or with some modifications or be the basis for the collection, recording and
evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of people in other islands of the
Mediterranean region (Ntona et al.2015).
According to the results, the vast majority (36.0% and 41.2%) of the residents of
Cyprus are absolutely or sufficiently informed about the use of renewable energy
systems in their homes).
About one third of the Cypriot respondents (4.2% and 24.2%) are willing to pay
10% or more increment to the electricity price in order for 20% of generated power
to be produced by renewable energy sources. In a similar research (Tampakis et al
2017) conducted in Andros Island in Greece, a more negative altitude recorded (only
9.9% and 5.2%) are of the same opinion.
Regarding the evaluation of the sources of information on RES residents of
Cyprus and the residents of Andros Island have about the same attitudes, more
specifically they draw information from internet, TV, radio, leaflets, newspapers and
from family and their friends. Also the Cypriots and Greek residents are rather
negative to the adoption of energy performance measures for buildings and the
increment of the electricity price more than 10%.

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