EAC employees will not remain idle as criticism grows in Parliament. Plans are underway to escalate measures, while key questions remain unanswered. Unions are also considering filing a complaint with the EU over Cyta’s entry into the energy sector.

Unions representing employees of the Electricity Authority are preparing to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, following yesterday’s approval by the majority of Parliament’s plenary session of the widely discussed bill allowing Cyta to enter the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy sources.

Additionally, according to Kyriakos Tafounas, President of EPOPAI-SEK, employees may proceed through their unions to take action with relevant EU energy institutions.

As Tafounas explained, the appeal will also include the amendments passed by Parliament in relation to the law regulating the electricity market.

Under these amendments, regulations issued based on the provisions of the law will define the process of informing the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) by a license holder or exemption holder in cases of license transfer or changes in ownership structure, without requiring its approval.

Tafounas expressed strong disappointment on behalf of all EAC personnel, stating that both the executive and legislative branches promoted legislation enabling Cyta to operate in the energy sector, while ignoring the potentially serious consequences for the Electricity Authority.

He noted that EAC’s legal team will be tasked with reviewing the framework of the law approved by Parliament, in conjunction with the legislation governing the Authority’s operation.

The President of EPOPAI-SEK did not rule out the possibility of employees proceeding with “strict measures,” as he described them, citing decisions made during general assemblies of the four unions, which granted their leadership full authority to escalate dynamic actions.

He added that general assemblies of the staff will be scheduled for next Monday, during which employees will be briefed in light of the latest developments.

A proposal will be presented to grant renewed authorization for escalating strike measures.

“What would have been beneficial yesterday was not the decision of the plenary session. What would serve the public interest would have been for the Ministry of Finance, the EAC, the relevant energy authorities, the system operator, and CERA to come together in one room to find a way to strengthen the units at the Dhekelia power station,” Tafounas stated.

“There is no adequacy,” he stressed, adding that a solution must be found as soon as possible.

“The machinery,” he added, “has been overworked and is unfortunately showing numerous issues. We challenged the system operator to publish the relevant studies, not only for this year, but also for 2027 and 2028.”

EAC unions recently called on all independent institutions to provide answers to key questions they have raised for some time, including:

Who prevented EAC from evaluating a tender for securing suitable land for renewable energy projects?

Which former state officials secured numerous renewable energy licenses for private interests they now collaborate with?

Who obtained licenses for both renewable and conventional energy production, and through which processes?

Source: Brief