**Cyprus Imposes Rolling Power Cuts Amid Heatwave Demand Shortfall**
**Nicosia, Cyprus** – In response to soaring electricity demand due to an ongoing heatwave, Cyprus's Electricity Transmission Operator implemented rolling power cuts across the island on the evening of July 22, 2026. The cuts, which affected both households and businesses, lasted between 20 to 30 minutes and continued until approximately 8:30 PM. This measure was taken after electricity demand significantly outstripped supply, with a shortfall of around 25 megawatts reported early in the evening.
The Department of Meteorology had issued an orange warning, indicating extreme heat conditions, which contributed to the surge in electricity use. As the evening progressed, demand peaked at dusk, while wind power generation provided only about 20 megawatts around 8 PM, falling short of the required supply.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has indicated that the risk of further rolling cuts remains high as the situation develops. The authority is currently working on repairs at two key power generation units located in Vasilikos and Dhekelia. While there were initial reports suggesting that two units would be back online and that power supply would stabilize, confirmation of these repairs is pending.
EAC officials have expressed cautious optimism that at least one or two units could return to service, but they also noted that the potential for additional faults exists. This concern is particularly relevant for the Dhekelia units, some of which are approximately 50 years old and in a state of disrepair.
The electricity supply situation is exacerbated by the lack of electricity storage capabilities. Strong solar energy production during daylight hours has been adequate to meet peak demand until around 6 PM. However, as solar output diminishes in the evening, the system becomes increasingly reliant on EAC's aging generating units.
Despite the EAC's investment of approximately €160 million in a sixth combined-cycle unit at Vasilikos, the unit cannot be utilized due to the current inability to import natural gas. Additionally, the privately-owned Power Energy Corporation (PEC) is unable to operate its units, which have a capacity of 200 to 260 megawatts, as they are not fully licensed and lack access to gas supplies.
Experts, including technocrats and EAC union officials, have pointed out that the electricity supply issues have been known for at least the past two to three years. With temperatures expected to remain around 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days, the stability of Cyprus’s electricity supply is uncertain.
The EAC is urging residents to conserve energy where possible and has indicated that further rolling blackouts may be necessary if repairs do not proceed as planned. As the situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the power supply and demand dynamics to mitigate the impact on residents and businesses across the island.
As Cyprus navigates through this challenging period, the government and energy authorities are under pressure to address the underlying issues affecting the electricity supply and to implement long-term solutions to prevent future crises.