Nicosia, Cyprus. The Electricity authority (EAC) said its headquarters and customer service offices will remain closed on Thursday due to a 24-hour strike called by trade unions. The authority said critical infrastructure was expected to operate normally, with skeleton staff on duty.
Office closures and service arrangements
In a statement on Wednesday, the EAC said the strike was not expected to affect the operation of critical infrastructure affecting consumers, and that skeleton staff would be on duty to make sure there were no power cuts.
Consumers were advised to use online services, apps, banks and post offices to pay bills.
The EAC said that to apply for connection, disconnection and transfers during the strike, consumers can send an email to the EAC, and to monitor applications for connection and photovoltaic systems.
The EAC apologised for any inconvenience and said it was striving to secure unhindered services.
Union concerns and meetings with government
On Tuesday, trade unions said they were disappointed after their meeting with Energy Minister Michael Damianos, who said problems in the energy sector could not be solved overnight.
Peo representative Demetris Constantinou said ahead of Thursday’s 24-hour strike, the third work stoppage in a row, that the unions’ positions were aligned with those of the EAC board of directors.
EAC board chairman George Petrou said the trade unions’ major concerns were over telecommunications authority Cyta entering the energy market, and that Thursday’s strike was not over differences with the EAC but with the state.
How will the Thursday closure affect your ability to access EAC services?