Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ electricity grid has sufficient capacity to meet higher demand forecast for the summer as temperatures rise and air conditioning use increases, according to transmission system operator spokeswoman Chara Kousiappa.
Demand reached 1,156 megawatts at 2.30pm on Monday and remained at 921 megawatts at 8pm, a level Kousiappa described as relatively high for evening hours.
Summer demand forecasts
Kousiappa told the Cyprus News Agency that maximum electricity demand is forecast to reach between 1,260 megawatts and 1,300 megawatts at the height of summer.
Demand in late afternoons is projected to range between 1,060 megawatts and 1,090 megawatts. She said these hours are significant because the island relies most heavily on conventional electricity generation at that time.
Risk of power station faults
Kousiappa said demand appears likely to be met provided there are no breakdowns at power stations. She added that reliable predictions cannot be made if failures occur because breakdowns are unpredictable.
If faults or breakdowns affect power stations, available capacity may not be sufficient and the TSO may take measures to limit demand at specific times. In the worst-case scenario, this could include rolling blackouts, although she said there was currently no apparent problem.
Heat and renewable generation
Electricity demand increases when exceptionally high temperatures persist for consecutive days, as buildings retain heat and air conditioner use rises further, Kousiappa said.
She said demand is expected to reach higher levels if hot conditions continue. Renewable energy sources accounted for 70 per cent of electricity production for many hours each day and over consecutive days during the hottest weather recorded so far this summer.
