*SEPIE Press Release

Recent developments regarding the possibility of power outages across the country raise a legitimate question that concerns every citizen:

How is it possible that a labor dispute could jeopardize the electricity supply for the entire country?

This question is far more important than the dispute itself that divides the two sides.

The Association of Electricity Suppliers’ Representatives (SEPIE) fully respects the right of workers to pursue their demands through legal channels. This right is a fundamental principle of every democratic society.

Equally fundamental, however, is the right of citizens to have uninterrupted access to a vital service such as electricity. Households, businesses, hospitals, our most vulnerable fellow citizens, and the economy as a whole cannot be left at risk of power outages due to a dispute between an employer and its employees.

The current situation highlights a fundamental issue: when electricity generation is so heavily concentrated in a single entity, any internal disruption—whether labor-related, technical, or operational—can become a matter of national importance.

For SEPIE, this discussion is not about assigning blame. It concerns the need to consider whether the current design of the power system offers the resilience required by the country’s modern needs.

A modern and resilient power system must be able to respond even when difficulties arise. Cyprus’s energy security cannot depend on the smooth operation of a single organization.

Recent developments serve as a reminder of why the country needs to consistently move forward with reforms that will strengthen the resilience of its electricity system. More investment, greater diversification in electricity generation, and an efficiently functioning market are not ends in themselves. They are the prerequisites for a system that will continue to operate reliably, regardless of any dispute or emergency.

SEPIE calls on all stakeholders to act responsibly in order to avoid any inconvenience to citizens and any risk to the security of supply.

The public interest takes precedence over any individual interest. Cyprus needs an electricity system that serves its citizens with reliability, resilience, and safety, every day of the year.