Rolling power cuts during a heatwave come as no surprise. They are, in essence, the visible consequence of a long-standing failure of the state. It has long been known that Cyprus' energy system operates close to its limits. Technocrats, experts and employees of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus repeatedly warned that, without timely planning and investment, the country would face electricity shortages. Those warnings, however, were never translated into meaningful political action.
Fifteen years after the destruction of the Vasilikos power station, Cyprus remains heavily dependent on fuel oil for electricity generation. This results, on the one hand, in high electricity costs for consumers and, on the other, in tens of millions of euros being paid annually in emissions penalties. At the same time, ageing generation units suffer frequent breakdowns, something entirely predictable for facilities that have been operating for decades.
Meanwhile, Cyprus has filled its landscape with photovoltaic systems but lacks adequate energy storage infrastructure and a modern electricity grid. The paradox is that, during hours of peak sunshine, solar electricity production must be curtailed due to oversupply, while only a few hours later the system is unable to meet demand. The absence of storage largely undermines the advantages of renewable energy sources.
Another aspect highlighting state inconsistency is the fact that, for years, Cyprus placed its hopes in natural gas and the island's electricity interconnection projects, both of which have either been delayed or remain incomplete. Instead of forming part of a comprehensive energy strategy, they were used as justification for postponing necessary decisions.
It is also worth recalling that the European Union had for years proposed the creation of a large solar park within the buffer zone, with European funding, alongside upgrades to the electricity grid across the island. The proposal, supported by the United Nations and linked to confidence-building measures, ultimately failed to move forward because of disagreements over how the generated electricity would be allocated between the two communities. Regardless of the political interpretation of this development, it represents yet another missed opportunity that could have strengthened the country's energy security.
Energy security is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for economic stability, social cohesion and the resilience of the state. Interruptions in electricity supply are a stark reminder that procrastination, the absence of strategic planning and a lack of political will carry a real cost. Today, that cost is being paid by the public.
