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The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) will revise its smart meter installation strategy following a series of reported incidents, including fires and damaged appliances, officials said.
The Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism discussed the issue this week, citing at least 15 incidents in recent weeks, one of which involved a fire that destroyed an apartment.
Speaking to SPOR FM 95 and the program “News Dissemination,” EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou said the authority will limit installations to properties with single-phase electricity over the next two weeks.
Papadopoulou clarified that the smart meters themselves were not to blame. Instead, she said the problems were caused by old or substandard household circuit breakers. That determination led to the decision to proceed more cautiously with installations.
EAC General Director Adonis Yasemides told Parliament that the utility would compensate customers whose appliances were damaged following smart meter installations. He said about 38,000 meters have been installed so far, with 15 to 16 reported issues.
'Unacceptable' implementation
Committee Chairman and DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis criticized the EAC for proceeding without proper safety protocols or adequately trained personnel. He called the situation “unacceptable,” saying that in the push to meet installation targets and secure funding, safety had been overlooked.
Hadjiyiannis likened the EAC’s handling of safety concerns to the infamous Takata airbag scandal. “They recognize the risk but refuse to take responsibility or issue guidance. This is unacceptable,” he said.
AKEL MP Costas Costa said the incidents were more serious than initially thought, noting the complete destruction of a Nicosia apartment and raising concerns for vulnerable residents. “What if someone with mobility issues had been inside?” he asked.
Costa emphasized the need for post-installation inspections to prevent future hazards. He welcomed the EAC’s decision to revise its procedures, saying the focus must be on prevention rather than compensation.
“We were pleased to hear the compensation process is being updated,” he said. “But the most important development is the revision of the installation protocol. Even one fatal incident would be too many.”
He said the committee has asked the EAC to collaborate with the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services and the Association of Licensed Electricians to establish inspection procedures and ensure safety.
The EAC has agreed to temporarily halt installations in buildings with three-phase electricity, allowing time to finalize safety protocols and provide further training for technical staff. Installations will continue only in single-phase properties, which are not expected to present the same risks.
Lack of inspection measures
DIPA-Cooperation MP Michalis Giakoumis also criticized the lack of safety checks prior to installations. “The absence of inspection procedures caused damage in homes and to appliances,” he said. “They will now proceed with single-phase systems first, followed by three-phase installations once the necessary safeguards are in place.”
