The Mediterranean island nation is bound by a European Union target of 13 percent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2020. It also needs energy to power desalination plants in order to remedy its water shortages. If the CSIRO’s (Australia’s national science agency) “solar thermal field” proves successful, Cyprus will commit to expanding the technology. Its main feature is the built-in capacity to store energy and release it as needed, ensuring a reliable flow. Other countries in the region are watching, including the United Arab Emirates.