**Rolling Power Cuts Possible from Thursday as EAC Workers Strike**
Cyprus is bracing for potential rolling power cuts starting Thursday, as strikes by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) workers are anticipated to significantly reduce the available power supply. The Transmission System Operator (TSO) of Cyprus issued a warning on Tuesday, indicating that electricity supply may need to be interrupted on a rotating basis for consumers as long as the industrial action continues.
The TSO has announced that, due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the strikes, the Competitive Electricity Market will be suspended throughout the duration of the workers' actions. This decision comes as trade unions representing EAC employees plan to limit the number of operational generating units and will not be responsible for the start-up or shutdown of these units during the strike.
In light of these developments, the TSO has cautioned that if a generating unit experiences a breakdown, there is no assurance that it can be replaced by another unit. This raises concerns about the reliability of the power supply during peak demand periods. The operator, in collaboration with the Distribution System Operator, may be compelled to implement controlled load shedding if the available generation falls short of meeting demand.
Forecasts suggest that electricity shortages are likely to occur between 5:30 PM and 1:00 AM, with the highest demand expected between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. During these peak hours, up to 25% of total electricity demand may need to be disconnected through rolling outages. The TSO plans to publish a schedule of the planned power cuts by area on its website the day before they are expected to take place. However, the actual extent of the outages will depend on real-time electricity demand, prevailing weather conditions, and the availability of generating units.
The TSO has also indicated that curtailments of electricity generated from renewable energy sources may increase during the industrial action. In response to the situation, the TSO has been in constant communication with the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Authority to manage the unfolding circumstances effectively.
In a statement, the TSO expressed its apologies for the inconvenience that consumers may experience and assured the public that every effort would be made to minimize the impact of the rolling power cuts.
As the situation develops, residents and businesses across Cyprus are urged to stay informed about the power cuts and to prepare accordingly for potential disruptions in their electricity supply.