Newsroom
Thousands of homes in Cyprus may be at risk of fire, electric shock, or damage to appliances due to faulty circuit breakers, and for the first time, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is acknowledging the problem.
After weeks of mounting pressure and repeated warnings from the Electrical Contractors Association, the EAC has confirmed what electricians have been saying all along: there are serious issues linked to the installation of smart meters in homes with outdated or low-quality circuit breakers.
From denial to admission
Initially, the EAC downplayed the issue, claiming there were only 15 isolated incidents out of 35,000 smart meters installed. But under growing scrutiny, especially during a heated session of the parliamentary energy committee, an EAC spokesperson admitted there are thousands of problematic installations.
DIPA MP Michalis Giakoumis disputed the EAC’s earlier numbers, stating that at least 47 incidents have been reported involving electrical faults or damage right after a smart meter was installed.
One of the most severe cases involved a Nicosia apartment that caught fire and was completely destroyed, reportedly due to a malfunction after smart meter installation in a home with three-phase power.
Shifting blame sparks outrage
While the EAC insists it’s not to blame, pointing instead to old or cheap circuit breakers, this response has outraged private electricians and lawmakers. George Kyriakou, head of the electricians' association, accused EAC crews of skipping essential safety checks during meter installations.
DISY MP Kyriakos Hatzigiannis went even further, comparing the EAC’s behavior to the Takata airbag scandal—where manufacturers knew of deadly defects but failed to act. “The authorities are aware of the dangers but are pushing the responsibility onto citizens,” he said.
Call to pause Installations
In response to the uproar, AKEL MP Kostas Kostas called on the EAC to halt smart meter installations in homes with three-phase current until safer procedures are put in place. The EAC has agreed, for now, to only install smart meters in homes with single-phase power, where the risk is reportedly lower.
What’s next?
With the EAC’s partial admission and growing political pressure, it's clear this issue is far from over. MPs and electricians are demanding accountability, safer practices, and, most importantly, protection for the public.
For now, if your home has had a smart meter installed or is due to, you may want to consult a licensed electrician to check if your circuit breaker is up to standard.
