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The Electricity Authority of Cyprus has begun a major overhaul of Cyprus’ aging power infrastructure, paying German engineering giant Siemens a €9 million advance for the purchase of three new generators for the Dhekelia power station, EAC Chairman Giorgos Petrou said.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Petrou said the agreement with Siemens provides for the delivery of the first generator in April 2028, the second in August 2028, and the third in May 2029.
The new industrial-type generators are expected to dramatically improve the flexibility of the island’s electricity system, especially as Cyprus increases its use of renewable energy.
Petrou explained that unlike the older units currently operating at Dhekelia, the new generators can connect to the electricity grid in just five minutes.
“That gives us the ability to shut them down when they are not needed,” he said, noting that the existing machines require long preparation times before they can reconnect to the system, making them far less efficient and flexible.
The modernization push comes as Cyprus faces a deadline to retire the aging Dhekelia units by Dec. 31, 2029, in line with environmental and operational requirements.
To support the transition, the EAC is also moving ahead with large-scale battery storage systems aimed at stabilizing the grid and storing renewable energy for later use, a growing challenge for island nations heavily dependent on solar power.
Petrou said batteries with a total storage capacity of 80 megawatts have already been ordered for Dhekelia and are expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2027.
Additional battery installations are also planned for Moni, with a proposed storage capacity of 100 megawatts. The project is currently going through the permitting process, including town planning and building approvals.
At the same time, the EAC is studying an even larger battery storage project at Vasiliko, with a planned capacity of 250 megawatts.
The projects mark one of the most significant shifts in Cyprus’ electricity infrastructure in years, as the country races to modernize its grid, reduce emissions, and manage the growing demands of renewable energy integration.
