Trade unions representing workers at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) on Thursday announced they will take harsh measures to express their disappointment at the government, which are set to lead to potential power cuts possibly even during the Christmas period.
Over the past few days, the unions said they are “intensely frustrated and disappointed at the stance, conduct, and continuing inaction of the energy ministry on serious matters raised repeatedly and which have worsened over the past few years.”
Information emerging on Thursday revealed that EAC workers decided they will not intervene on matters and issues outside their contractual requirements.
The reasons behind the harsh measures adopted by the unions are linked to chronic understaffing issues, as well as policies blocking the EAC from engaging in electricity generation through renewables, as well as allowing the continued operation of the power station at Dhekelia.
Regarding the power station in Dhekelia, the unions said its antiquated turbines should have been replaced with newer, more efficient ones – yielding a lower cost of production as well as lower emissions.
“Instead, the ministry of energy has unlawfully promoted an extension to their [I.E., THE TURBINES] operation to the year 2029, without at the same time taking a decision to replace them, relying on flimsy, whimsical and definitely costly solutions.”
The recent development alarmed both the energy ministry and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (Cera). Officials of the two bodies are set to meet representatives of the EAC on Thursday to address the issue and to find a way to bring the situation back to normality.
According to reports published on Thursday, the inactivity of the six turbines in Dhekelia will not only lead to potential power cuts and affect the operation of the entire electricity grid in Cyprus, but also hinder photovoltaic systems and wind farms.
On top of that, the situation could worsen in case of adverse weather conditions that will lead to increased electricity demands.
“The six turbines at the Dhekelia power station operate illegally and contribute to increasing costs of electricity. On top of that, by asking EAC workers to operate them, the government is taking advantage of the station’s staff,” a letter issued by the unions on Wednesday said.
“Therefore, we decided not to operate them and participate in such illegal activity.”
The spokesman for the Energy Transmission System Operator, Rogiros Tapakis, told Cybc’s Trito that problems could arise if demand exceeds 730 megawatts or if there is a loss of a unit at the Vasilikos station.
“In these cases, demand, particularly during the afternoon and night hours, will not be able to be met and there will have to be a ‘consumer load cut’,” he said.
Moreover, EAC spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou added that the strike measures will affect the adequacy and stability of the production system.
Over the past days, unions also asked the energy ministry to explain the reason behind the decision to prevent the EAC from installing renewables that would bring down electricity generation costs.
Other demands of the unions concern, among other things, the creation of hundreds of new jobs, the strengthening of the infrastructure at the Dhekelia power station and the exclusion of EAC employees from the new pension system in the wider public service.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Mail
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Mail
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