Newsroom
Last week’s electricity outages have put the government under intense scrutiny, with critics blaming poor management of the country’s power system. While the government cites “inherited distortions” in the grid, opponents argue that little has been done to prevent repeated problems.
Lawmakers hit hard
Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, criticized the government on Monday for delays in natural gas delivery, electricity interconnection, and energy storage projects. He called it unacceptable that the state seems to wait for union approval before making decisions, leaving households and businesses vulnerable to power cuts.
“These are not the actions of a serious government,” Hatzigiannis said, urging immediate solutions rather than vague promises.
DISY: “Energy storage should be a priority”
DISY echoed the concerns, stressing that energy storage systems could reduce electricity costs, prevent blackouts, and make better use of solar power. Instead, they say, timelines are constantly pushed back, keeping costs and uncertainty high.
AKEL: “Enough talk, we need action”
The Leftist party AKEL criticized the government for misleading the public, noting that while previous administrations left Cyprus with an energy mess, the current government has also failed to act decisively. Delays in natural gas supply, stagnation in energy storage, and slow upgrades at key power plants, they say, have left the island exposed to energy shortages.
Government promises progress
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis said the energy storage system is scheduled for completion by June 2026, including installations at two major power stations. Upgrades at the Decelia plant are already underway, and the competitive electricity market is set to open on 15 September, with commercial operations starting 1 October 2025.
Letympiotis emphasized that the government is committed to step-by-step progress, aiming to reduce electricity costs and stabilize supply for households and small businesses.
The bottom line
Cyprus continues to face energy challenges as an isolated island, with consumers feeling the impact of delays and blackouts. While the government points to long-term plans, critics insist that immediate action is needed to prevent future outages and high costs.
