**Energy Minister Vows to Prevent Future Night-Time Power Cuts in Cyprus**
In a bid to address recent electricity outages, Energy Minister Michael Damianos announced on Thursday that the government is committed to avoiding further night-time power cuts. Speaking at the presentation of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus’ (EAC) annual review, he expressed confidence that the installation of 120 megawatts (MW) of energy storage capacity by early 2027 would help mitigate similar issues in the future.
The recent power outages, which occurred on Wednesday night, were attributed to faults affecting EAC generators. Damianos explained that while Cyprus has over 1,000 MW of conventional generation capacity and an equivalent amount of photovoltaic production during daylight hours, challenges arise in the evening when solar generation ceases and temperatures remain elevated.
“The challenge comes during the first hours of the night, when temperatures remain high but solar generation is no longer available,” he stated. The Minister emphasized that energy storage is the only long-term solution to utilize excess solar power generated during the day, preventing it from being wasted after sunset.
The Transmission System Operator has already awarded a contract for the 120 MW of storage units, which are expected to arrive in Cyprus in January 2027 and be fully operational before the summer. Damianos assured the public that measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the current problems next summer. “That is so we do not face these problems again next summer,” he affirmed.
In light of the recent outages, Damianos praised the EAC staff for their efforts in limiting the duration and scale of the disruptions, while also acknowledging the inconvenience experienced by consumers. “The public is suffering and they should not have to. This is a problem that should already have been solved; we are doing everything we can,” he remarked.
When questioned about the possibility of further outages, Damianos noted that he could not predict additional technical faults, as operational decisions are made by the system operator, which aims to minimize interruptions. With high temperatures forecasted to persist, he assured the public that authorities would do “everything possible” to prevent further overnight cuts.
In response to criticism regarding the repeated summer power shortages, the Minister highlighted the importance of communication, stating that information about affected areas should be provided by the EAC. He reiterated that the implementation of energy storage would significantly enhance the system's reliability.
In addition to the public storage project, Damianos mentioned that private investors have been authorized to develop up to 150 MW of storage capacity. The EAC is also progressing with its own battery storage installations. “We believe that next summer this problem will no longer exist,” he stated confidently.
Acknowledging that some issues should have been resolved earlier, Damianos indicated that the government would review whether the timelines for storage projects could have been expedited. When asked about accountability for the outages experienced last summer, he refrained from assigning blame, stating, “Everyone has their own role in ensuring the country’s energy security.”
On the topic of modernizing aging generation units, Damianos revealed that the EAC has ordered three new generators to replace older units at Dhekelia, with two expected to arrive in 2028 and a third in 2029. He emphasized that the longer-term solution lies in the introduction of natural gas at Vasilikos before 2030, which would allow for the replacement of much of the existing conventional generation. “Natural gas is less polluting and cheaper. That is why the plan is to complete the Vasilikos project before 2030, when these older EAC units should be withdrawn,” he concluded.
As Cyprus grapples with energy supply challenges, the government’s focus on enhancing storage capacity and modernizing generation infrastructure aims to secure a more reliable electricity supply for the future.