“If natural gas doesn’t arrive by 2029, there will obviously be a supply issue; this is something that has been discussed in the past.”
_{^{Michalis Damianos – Minister of Energy}}

An SOS from Parliament, as the Minister of Energy acknowledges that the country may face an electricity supply problem in the coming years if the long-awaited arrival of natural gas does not materialize. This development is essential for replacing, by the end of 2029, old, polluting generators at the Dekelia power plant with new ones that will run on natural gas, in line with the Republic of Cyprus’s commitments to the European Union.

READ ALSO: Damianos’s SOS to Parliament: Serious problem with electricity supply until 2030, call for the Vasilikos project

The only way to ensure energy security—as Michalis Damianos pointed out—is the terminal in Vasilikos. The government’s goal is to launch a new tender within the year to award the project to a new contractor, so that the infrastructure can be completed before 2030.

“We believe we will have natural gas before 2030, of course.”
_{^{Michalis Damianos – Minister of Energy}}

This goal is being met with skepticism by members of the Energy Committee, who are expressing concern about the ongoing delays.

“We observe, on the part of the government, a lack of clear planning, inaction, and contradictory messages on critical energy issues concerning the country’s future.”
_{^{Nikos Georgiou – DISY MP/Chair of the Energy Committee}}

“Today we did not hear anything that reassured us that the government has the situation under control.”
_{^{Andreas Pasiourtides – AKEL Member of Parliament}}

“However, the burning question regarding the cost of electricity has not been answered, and we on our side are still waiting for a response.”
_{^{Linos Papagiannis – ELAM Member of Parliament}}

READ ALSO: EAC protests “on hold”: Government given 15-day deadline to avoid blackout

Regarding the “Prometheus” floating unit, the Minister noted that, the most advantageous option is for it to remain in Malaysia for the time being, noting that the cost to Cyprus currently amounts to 190,000 dollars per month.

“As DIKO, we have once again emphasized our support for the Minister of Energy and his actions.”
_{^{Chrysis Pantelidis – DIKO Member of Parliament}}

Suspension of Measures

The EAC unions have given the government a 15-day deadline to address the serious issues they have repeatedly raised, foremost among them the adequacy and cost of electricity.

The decision was made during a meeting held this afternoon at the Presidential Palace between the union leaders, the Minister of Energy, the Deputy Minister to the President, and the Chairman of the EAC Board of Directors.

SEE ALSO: Fears of a blackout due to a strike at the EAC: Emergency plan for rotating power outages

As a result of the meeting, the indefinite measures that the unions were set to implement starting Thursday—which would likely have led to power outages—have been suspended.

Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou: