EAC unions announce potential power cuts in Cyprus starting July 9

Employees of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) have scheduled protest actions starting July 9, which may lead to rolling power outages. The unions are concerned about long-term energy security, the potential shortage of 800 MW of power capacity by 2029, and the transition away from older power plants in Dhekelia and Vasiliko. Protesters aim to gain a seat at the table in national energy strategy planning alongside government ministries and regulators. During the strike, power stations will operate with minimum staffing, and maintenance operations will be restricted, potentially causing outages between 17:30 and 01:00. The most critical period is expected to be between 19:30 and 21:30, with up to 25% of consumers potentially affected. Government representatives are scheduled to meet with union leaders at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on July 7 to negotiate a resolution. While unions state that they seek policy influence rather than immediate disruption, the risk of technical failures remains due to limited staffing. Official authorities note that the severity of outages will depend on weather-driven demand and the operational status of power plants.