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Residents across Cyprus experienced micro power cuts this week, highlighting the long-standing issues in the island’s electricity system and the urgent need for long-term planning, energy experts say.
Charalambos Ellinas, a well-known energy specialist, told CNA that Cyprus has been reacting to problems instead of planning ahead. “We have problems in everything, electricity, water, droughts, fires. The reason is that we don’t plan. We react. A problem arises, and we go to fix it. And so we go from problem to problem, without long-term planning,” he said.
Ellinas stressed that climate change has only made the situation more urgent. Temperatures in Cyprus are rising faster than the global average, leading to higher electricity demand from air conditioners and water desalination. “What we knew does not apply to tomorrow. We need to plan for the next 20-30 years,” he said.
He noted that long-delayed measures could have prevented many of the current problems, including replacing old generators in Dhekelia, bringing in natural gas, upgrading the grid, and installing batteries. “We know the solutions. We know the problems. And we sit and wait,” Ellinas said.
EAC moves to stabilize supply
George Petrou, president of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), said the utility is working “feverishly” to implement measures to prevent future cuts. The key step, he said, is installing new generators in Dhekelia, which have been delayed for years. The generators are expected to provide an extra 80-90 megawatts of conventional production, though delivery could take up to 18 months due to high global demand.
Petrou also highlighted progress on battery installations, which can store energy when renewable sources are insufficient. “Bids have been issued for three locations, including Dhekelia and Moni,” he said. “This will help absorb energy during peak hours and improve efficiency.”
The EAC president confirmed that yesterday’s micro-cuts were caused by four machines being out of service, some due to age and frequent cycling on and off. “If those machines had been available, there would have been no problem,” he said, urging residents to conserve energy during peak hours between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Looking ahead
Both Ellinas and Petrou emphasized that long-term planning is essential. Natural gas, new generators, battery storage, and grid upgrades are all part of the solution. Ellinas was blunt: “The money is there. We did not do the planning and the necessary work. They could have been done at any time.”
Petrou added that by 2029, older units in Dhekelia will be replaced by natural gas plants, increasing production and reducing reliance on aging equipment. But without immediate action, Cyprus will continue to experience intermittent power disruptions, experts warn.
