NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — European consumers can expect natural gas from an undersea deposit off Cyprus to help meet their energy needs as early as March 2028, the island nation’s energy minister said. Damianos said partners TotalEnergies of France and Italy’s Eni made a final decision last month to proceed with developing the Cronos natural gas field off Cyprus’ southern coast. Cyprus' Energy Minister Michael Damianos talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 7, 2026. Cronos is one of six natural gas deposits discovered so far inside Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone off its southern coastline. “It’s a very important project for Europe because it connects Cyprus which is isolated to the European grid.