The President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at the Presidential Palace, a delegation of the leadership of AKEL with whom he discussed issues relating to the energy sector[/B] in the presence of Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Ms Natasha Pilidou.
After the meeting, Ms. Pilidou told reporters, among other things, that the meeting was very constructive and during the meeting the measures that have been implemented so far were presented.[/B]
He added that Cyprus was one of the first countries to go ahead with the reduction of electricity costs and noted that "we will continue to look at measures that are considered appropriate to help consumers".
Asked about AKEL's proposal to reduce the consumption charge, the minister said that it is something for which the way has already been paved with the approval by the Council of Ministers last week of the bill for the creation of a fund that allows for a reduction of the charge in the coming years.
"We will seek its immediate passage in Parliament and we should look at the needs of the fund which is very important to be fed with funding to be able to provide the plans and incentives to citizens for the energy transition which is the best way to reduce costs in the long term," the minister noted.
On the proposal for competitive tenders, Ms Pileidou said it was a much more complex undertaking for two reasons. "One is that the competitive market opens in October 2022, so any action must be taken at the same time ensuring the successful opening of the market. So the right balance has to be struck both legally and practically. Second, the views of the RAEK must be taken into account," she said.
She added that following instructions from the President of the Republic, meetings will follow for a thorough discussion of this issue.
Asked about the terminal at Vasilikos, she said that "we are on a very good track" and the timetable remains unchanged, namely summer 2023.
She added that the problems that had been identified had largely been solved.
Asked if everything was going well in Block 10 of the Cypriot EEZ, the minister replied in the affirmative.
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