**Blackout Risk Rises as Heatwave Pushes Demand to Record Levels in Cyprus**
Cyprus is facing a heightened risk of power outages as the country's electricity system operates with limited reserves amid an unprecedented surge in demand. This situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged heatwave and failures in several production units, putting additional strain on the national grid.
On Wednesday, Cyprus recorded an all-time high electricity demand, prompting officials to issue warnings about the potential for blackouts, particularly during peak evening hours. Haris Zavallis, assistant director of the National Energy Centre, indicated that electricity coverage from 6 PM to 10 PM remains precarious and hinges on the timely return of an additional unit at the Dhekelia power station.
Zavallis, speaking to Omega TV, noted that a unit was anticipated to be operational by around 4 PM. "As long as this unit operates smoothly, evening demand is estimated to be covered," he said, while also acknowledging that the system would be functioning "without sufficient reserves." He warned that any further failures could significantly complicate the situation. "If we lose a small unit, the system will be at its limits, while if we lose a larger unit, we will be unable to cover the demand," he explained.
The electricity grid has already been affected by the failure of a large production unit at the Vasilikos power station, which is not expected to return to service until next week. Meanwhile, another unit that had previously been offline is expected to become available soon, and four units are currently operational at Dhekelia.
Demand forecasts for the evening indicate a peak of around 1,090 megawatts, with available generation capacity estimated at 1,143 megawatts, contingent on the successful integration of the Dhekelia unit. On Monday, electricity consumption hit a new record, reaching 1,321 megawatts, surpassing the previous high of 1,289 megawatts set on July 22, 2024.
Zavallis attributed the rising demand to the ongoing heatwave, which has persisted for seven days and led to increased reliance on air conditioning systems. "The summer was mild, and it seemed that we would easily cover demand. However, the heatwave has been continuing for seven days, and therefore demand is going even higher," he remarked.
While daytime electricity demand has not faced immediate pressure due to renewable energy contributions, particularly from photovoltaic systems, challenges arise after sunset when solar energy production ceases. On Wednesday, morning demand reached 1,247 megawatts, with afternoon consumption projected to climb to approximately 1,345 megawatts.
In light of these developments, Zavallis urged residents to take measures to conserve electricity during peak hours. He recommended reducing the use of multiple air conditioning units simultaneously, gathering family members in a single cooled area when possible, and minimizing unnecessary lighting during critical periods.
As the heatwave continues and electricity demand remains high, the situation underscores the importance of energy conservation efforts and the need for reliable power generation to avoid potential disruptions in service across Cyprus.