Are CERA and the IPTO just sitting there twiddling their thumbs?

Opinion CERAelectricityenergy Are CERA and the IPTO just sitting there twiddling their thumbs? Power Producers Show Reluctance To Join Competitive Electricity Market Relevant News Outrage sparked by conduct of British Bases judge 30 June 2026 Are CERA and the IPTO just sitting there twiddling their thumbs? 30 June 2026 Apartment block collapses in Athens, rescuers search for trapped 30 June 2026 Chrysanthos Manoli 30 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber From 2026, two years after our accession to the European Union, the European Commission granted Cyprus its first exemptions — derogations from the strict emission limits governing electricity generation from large oil-fired units. The reason was simple. Cyprus was an electrically isolated system, entirely dependent on heavy fuel oil and diesel, with no access to natural gas. Twenty years later, Cyprus remains electrically isolated — and will remain so for several more years. It remains dependent on heavy fuel oil and diesel, even if renewable energy sources have penetrated certain hours of consumption, without storage capacity, due both to their own limitations and those of the state. And it still has no access to imported natural gas. Not even its own, from its exclusive economic zone. And it will take years before gas arrives. By then, in other EU countries, natural gas may no longer be seen as a cheap transitional fuel, but as an expensive one — burdened by penalties — outdated in the face of the green transition. If not outright prohibited. Yes, but all the derogations granted to Cyprus by the EU came with an expiry horizon, explicit or implicit. Will the EU continue renewing Cyprus’ exemptions indefinitely, or will it eventually say “enough is enough”? On the other hand, is the Union entitled to say: “you should have acted in time, you implemented our decisions too late, we don’t care if you are now left without electricity”? And is it reasonable to ask whether the EU itself bears responsibility for allowing delays in meeting the very timelines it set? Of course, it is not in a position to tell us “buy candles” or “use army lanterns, no more extensions will be granted.” It will, one assumes, grant another extension. People in Ormideia and surrounding areas should take note. Down here, in this forgotten corner, we may one day be told: “do whatever you want, you are not really a normal state anyway.” And of course we will take offence. We are very good at complaining — just like our brethren. And judging by recent statements from the Minister of Energy in Phileleftheros, the government is aware and understands that if we are to slip back — without electricity — into the stone age, the EU will grant yet another extension. Because by 2029, when the last so-called extension for the “big old units” in Dhekelia expires (not that certain units in Vasilikos, endlessly “upgraded”, are any better — when they do operate they produce barely fifty to sixty per cent of capacity), the numbers are very likely not to add up. Electricity supply will not be sufficient. It was stated in an article last Sunday in Phileleftheros by Giorgos Siammas, former chairman of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority: a nightmare scenario for electricity adequacy after 2029. The Phileleftheros and other media have written this many times. And in fact, the nightmare scenario does not concern only 2029. It concerns the years leading up to it as well. If the dice falls on the square marked “serious breakdowns”, we will be in trouble even this year — or next year, or the year after. Everyone involved in electricity knows it, far more so the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) and the independent Transmission System Operator (IPTO), but they sit back and do nothing. Their logic is: if the lights go out in the middle of summer, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) will take the blame. Or the government. How many people actually know that the real responsible authorities — those bearing responsibility for the looming risk — are the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority and the independent Transmission System Operator? Some who know who should wake up and assume their responsibilities ask: is the regulator asleep? Or just stirring beans in a pot? Sorry, but that is what is happening. Mr President, Mr Minister, we must comply — at least until 2029. There are ways. Through accelerated procedures, through political decisions that bypass legislative requirements designed for normal times (and the times ahead are anything but normal), or through extremely costly political choices. The responsibility for this state of affairs does not lie entirely with this government. In fact, only a small part of it does. But the responsibility for leaving the country without electricity will belong entirely to this government, Mr President. By definition. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Outrage sparked by conduct of British Bases judge Apartment block collapses in Athens, rescuers search for trapped The baton passes to Ireland with a legacy Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, June 30 What Cyprus TV viewers must do before tonight’s frequency switch Is there a future for the European diplomatic service? 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