• There is a real risk of power cuts in Cyprus due to the heatwave, as production units are operating under pressure with a high probability of faults.

• The Transmission System Operator does not rule out the possibility of rotating cuts to balance production and increased demand.

• Experts and trade unions criticize the delay in taking measures, emphasizing the absence of adequate reserves to deal with unforeseen energy crises.

• Supply is considered marginal, as the system depends on the outdated units of Dhekelia, making the immediate installation of new ones necessary.

• CERA warns of the need for conventional production, while the Ministry of Energy admits that storage systems are not immediately sufficient.

All of Cyprus is sitting on hot coals, as the risk of power supply interruptions under heatwave conditions for the remainder of July and August is more than visible.

Michalis Damianos, the Minister of Energy, clearly stated even yesterday that he does not rule out the possibility of electricity adequacy issues.

At the same time, Chara Kousiappa, Press Spokesperson of the Transmission System Operator of Cyprus (TSOC), mentioned that units at the power generation stations are operating continuously and under pressure due to high temperatures, resulting, as she noted, "in a probability of faults occurring."

"In such a case," she said, "adequacy may not be guaranteed, and the operator might proceed with demand curtailment during specific hours."

She also did not rule out the possibility of rotating consumer load shedding to balance production and demand.

"Electricity adequacy means having the necessary reserves"

Christakis Chatzilaou, an electrical engineer and expert in electrical energy matters, speaking to INK, recalled warnings from himself and other energy experts, as well as similar warnings from EAC workers, that non-uninterrupted power supply during the summer months would be inevitable if measures were not taken.

He pointed out that, from the moment the Minister of Energy and CERA say there will be an inadequacy in electricity generation, the competent Minister should have already decided, based on Article "34", to bring in conventional production units.

"From the moment there is a risk of power cuts, an alarm should perhaps have been sounded," Mr. Chatzilaou pointed out.

It is noted that in energy crisis management during cases of electricity inadequacy, responsibilities are activated based on CERA legislation and European directives on security of supply, such as the capacity mechanism.

"I do not believe that appropriate measures were taken in time, and I am very much afraid that the whole of Cyprus will be sitting on hot coals," Mr. Chatzilaou observed.

"Electricity adequacy," he noted, "means having the necessary reserves to cover potential faults."

He expressed the view that competent officials and technocrats should have foreseen, based on extreme scenarios, how to tackle any unpredictable energy crisis.

He mentioned that it is not fair to leave everything to chance, leaving Cypriot consumers exposed, as well as tourists who come to the island to rest, enjoy themselves, and not see their accommodations plunged into darkness.

"We must also care about our country's prestige. We are an EU member, and the rules of adequate energy must be applied," he noted.

Mr. Chatzilaou stressed that CERA has the obligation to provide the designated percentage of energy units so that there is an uninterrupted electricity supply even under heatwave conditions.

"I hope the damage to Cyprus' prestige will not be great," he remarked.

EPOPAH: Competent officials admit the problem today

Kyriakos Tafounas, General Secretary of EPOPAH - OHO - SEK, in statements to INK, mentioned that today all competent officials are coming forward to admit that we will have a problem with electricity adequacy.

"EAC employees had warned at an unsuspecting time. Fortunately, even if late, everyone admits there is a problem," he noted.

"They tell us that the electricity supply will be marginal during the summer months, and mainly in August. Without production from the Dhekelia power station, the system will not be able to function," he said.

Mr. Tafounas recalled that the units in Dhekelia are almost 50 years old.

"It is doubtful whether they will be able to bear the burden of electricity needs if unexpected faults occur under heatwave conditions," he stated.

"A way must be found to quickly install the units at the Dhekelia power station," he said, adding: "Where we have reached, it is imperative to request heavy fuel oil and diesel as alternative fuel until we see what happens with the arrival of natural gas."

It constitutes a reference point that CERA warned, through its letter to the Minister of Energy, that without natural gas, even by 2030, Cyprus will face a serious electricity adequacy problem and that activating the emergency procedure to secure additional conventional generation is urgent.

Nonetheless, the Minister of Energy, with new statements yesterday, admitted that batteries will not be able to offer electricity adequacy.

In the framework of the OEB workshop held last Tuesday, he had stated that the installation of battery energy storage systems is planned, with a total capacity of hundreds of megawatts, expected to reinforce the system by the end of 2027.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)