Trade unions on Monday warned about potential power blackouts following curtailments in photovoltaic energy production.

In the statement, unions representing the Cyprus electricity authority (EAC) – including the organisation of EAC employees (Epopai), the union of semi-government municipal & community employees (Sidikek), the union of scientific employees of EAC (Sepaik), and the union of shift employees of EAC (Syvaik) – expressed grave concerns about the state of the island’s electricity sector.

The unions highlighted ongoing issues, including delays in the installation of new energy production units in Dhekelia, a key location for future electricity generation. Furthermore, the amendment to the market regulation law concerning central energy storage has yet to be meaningfully discussed in the House of Representatives.

The statement criticises the energy authorities for “endless discussions and concerns without substantial results”, adding that this delay contributes to escalating electricity costs, insufficient power supply and an inefficient electricity system.

The unions warned that with current photovoltaic cuts, Cyprus is heading towards partial power outages and potential “blackouts”, with conditions deteriorating to what they described as “third-world” levels. These developments, they argue, are a result of the failure to implement crucial infrastructure projects.

The unions also pointed the finger at the ministry of energy and the regulatory authority for energy (Cera), accusing them of obstructing essential projects by the EAC, which has left the sector in crisis. This, the unions argue, is having a negative impact on consumers and the national economy.

In their statement, the unions raised concerns about the validity of calculations on the island’s electricity supply. They questioned whether the transmission system operator, the TSO, is factoring in the incomplete power station in Dhekelia when calculating the sufficiency of the electricity grid.

According to the unions, the station is riddled with “a series of insurmountable legal violations”, potentially amounting to criminal offences as noted in a report by the auditor-general.

While efforts are underway to develop the Dhekelia power station and implement a central storage project, private sector interests have reportedly filed complaints with the European Commission against Cyprus, ignoring the needs of the country’s infrastructure. The unions are now calling for transparency from the government on how it plans to address these complaints.

The unions also condemned the continued involvement of former government officials in private companies within the energy sector. Despite calls for investigations into questionable decisions, the unions claim that a lack of oversight and accountability has led to negligence and irresponsibility in the sector.

“The current state of affairs is unacceptable to EAC employees, and we will not remain passive,” they stated. The unions also expressed dissatisfaction with the current electricity costs, ongoing shortages, cuts to domestic solar power and the overall management of the electricity system.