Cyprus’ energy production is sufficient to meet high demand throughout the summer, says the Energy Authority of Cyprus (EAC), while the situation is expected to improve further in autumn, with the completion of an energy production unit at the Vassiliko power plant.
Moreover, energy demand is expected to reach today one of its highest levels, as high temperatures continue.
Speaking to CNA, EAC Spokesman Costas Gavrielides said the company planned to have one more unit up and running by the end of the year, while all repair works at the Vassiliko site will finish next summer. As Gavrielides said, some units will be converted, in order to operate with natural gas.
A year ago, a blast in containers full of munitions that was held at the naval base, in Mari, destroyed nearby power plant at Vassiliko, near Limassol. Following the immediate aftermath of power cuts throughout the island, EAC hired mobile units to address needs and proceeded with rebuilding the site at Vassiliko, which is the island’s biggest power production plant.
“We are not facing any power cuts due to energy production inefficiency” Gavrielides said, noting that some power shortages are incidental.
He added that power supply is not depending anymore on supply from the occupied areas of Cyprus, an arrangement that followed the 2011 incident to address immediate needs.
Moreover, the Spokesman for EAC said that total production levels, which last year reached 920 MW, following the incident, will be supplemented by another 120 MW from mobile units, installed in Moni, the smaller power plant.
Gavrielides also referred to the virtual power plant that is already in use, connecting the output of small private units to the central grid, adding another 35 MW.
The Director of the Transmission System Operator Christos Christodoulides said in his statements to CNA that energy demand is expected to top today, reaching 950 MW. He added that demand last Friday reached 890 MW.
According to Christodoulides, there is sufficient energy production to cover the demand, the situation is under control and no malfunctions to the transmission grid have been reported.
