Power supply set to begin improving
ONGOING disruption to Cyprus’s electricity supply is set to begin improving as mechanisms to bridge the deficit in provision are prepared. However, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) yesterday issued a plea to encourage “the biggest possible saving of energy.” The public has been asked to completely avoid the use of air conditioning and to reduce consumption more generally, or risk prolonging the disruption to supplies.
The Authority warned of further cuts if the public did not switch off their air conditioning units and limit their electricity consumption.
The announcement followed a stalled attempt by Transmission System Operator (TSO) to set a schedule of phased cuts throughout the island by region and time.
A comprehensive timetable was compiled but later recalled “due to unforeseen circumstances”, the EAC said.
When it is finally compiled, the public will be able to view it at www.dsm.org.cy.
Speaking to British Forces radio station BFBS, EAC spokesman Costas Gavrielides clarified that the island had been separated into 14 areas and would be subject to rolling power disruption. “The plan is to disconnect the 14 areas in turn for approximately two and a half hours each 24 hours.” Apologising for any inconveniences caused, Gavrielides warned that exact times could always be guaranteed, as the situation was fluid and thus subject to constant change. The timetable when it is finalised should provide some degree of stability for consumers, albeit on a limited supply.
Meanwhile mobile generators from abroad to help buttress power output began arriving yesterday. As reported by the Cyprus Mail, Israel arranged for 10 generators to be sent, and EAC Chairman Harris Thrassou confirmed their output at 10 megawatts (MW) and added that Israeli technicians had already arrived in Cyprus to assist with their installation. The Cyprus Port Authority told the Cyprus Mail the cargo was expected to dock at Limassol at 11pm last night. The generators will be used to minimise disruption to industrial units, according to the EAC.
Optimism was expressed by both Thrassou and Paschalides, with the EAC expecting generators with an output of 120-150 mw to be sent from Greece. Hope was even expressed by Thrassou that one of the generators (Unit 5) at Vassiliko could eventually operate at partial function. Also, Paschalides reported that after contact with the European Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, consultation is underway regarding generators sourced from France and Germany. The private sector is also being examined as a potential source, with the Ministry warning that those proved to be profiteering will have their names made public. Reiterating the EAC’s call for conservative use of power, Paschalides expressed his confidence in the country’s ability to recover, saying “Cyprus has endured much worse things.”
Until these solutions are in place, existing power sources will continue to generate as much electricity as possible. Straining to operate at full function, one aging 60MW unit in Dhekelia suffered temporary problems, leading to reports of 12 hour power outages on Tuesday night, according to BFBS. TSO figures show as of Wednesday evening the cumulative output of all functional generators on the island stood at 688 MW, down from 1,339 mw immediately prior to the explosion.
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