Cyprus faces electricity crisis amid record-breaking heatwave
Cyprus experienced rolling power outages during a mid-July 2026 heatwave, with temperatures reaching 44C. The Cyprus Transmission System Operator (TSO) reported a record-breaking electricity demand exceeding 1,370 MW on Thursday, July 23, surpassing initial forecasts. The outages were triggered by technical faults at Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) generating units in Dhekelia and Vasilikos. EAC Board President Giorgos Petrou acknowledged the system's reliance on aging infrastructure and chronic planning failures, noting that delays in commissioning new storage and generation projects have left the grid vulnerable.
The energy crisis has ignited a fierce political dispute. AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou and the Democratic Rally (DISY) have criticized the government for failing to prepare for expected demand despite years of warnings. Energy Minister Michalis Damianos rejected these accusations, arguing that the problems are historical and blaming the opposition for politicizing the situation for electoral gain. Meanwhile, Cyfield has announced that its Power Energy Cyprus (PEC) station, an investment exceeding 210 million euros with a capacity of 240 MW, is expected to become operational within weeks, provided connection issues are resolved.
TSO officials report that the system has stabilized as of late July, with additional capacity from Dhekelia contributing to higher availability. However, parliamentarians have called for an emergency meeting of the Energy Committee to address long-term stability and protect vulnerable citizens.