Whether or not the measures announced by EAC trade unions are ultimately implemented, the prospect of partial and rotating blackouts across Cyprus represents an extreme course of action.
At the same time, many of the issues raised by the unions extend far beyond a traditional labour dispute. They touch on the economy, energy security, electricity adequacy and, ultimately, every household and business on the island.
It is therefore reasonable to ask: if employees working directly in the energy sector do not sound the alarm over the absence of a realistic long-term energy strategy, who will? The line between what is justified and what is excessive is a fine one.
The unions' core argument is straightforward.
They warn that in 2029 EAC's ageing Dhekelia generating units, with a combined capacity of 460MW, are scheduled to be retired. Even with the installation of new 81MW units, they argue that a substantial generation gap will remain.
At roughly the same time, three oil-fired steam turbines at Vasiliko, with a combined capacity of 390MW, could also be taken out of service because of environmental restrictions.
According to the unions, this would leave Cyprus facing a shortfall of around 770MW, with available conventional generation falling to about 520MW, while demand could exceed 1,290MW during the summer months.
They also note that even under optimistic scenarios, the Vasiliko natural gas terminal is unlikely to be completed before 2029.
And even if natural gas arrives on schedule, EAC's conventional generation units and a private power station at Vasiliko would require up to six months to adapt their operations.
Meanwhile, the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), another project viewed as important for the island's energy security, remains surrounded by uncertainty.
Energy storage projects planned by the Cyprus Transmission System Operator and EAC are expected to ease pressure on the system over the next few years, but the unions argue they will not solve the problem entirely.
These concerns reflect a difficult reality.
Energy Minister Michalis Damianos acknowledged before parliament this week that Cyprus could face a serious electricity adequacy problem by 2030 if natural gas does not arrive.
The unions' tactics may therefore be regarded as extreme, but the warnings they are issuing are very real.
The hope now is that the dialogue opened with the government will result in a realistic and binding energy strategy, before Cyprus finds itself facing a supply crisis that virtually everyone recognises is approaching, even as the time available to address it continues to shrink.
