TSO says no power cuts expected as electricity demand declines

Nicosia, Cyprus. The transmission system operator (TSO) said no power cuts are expected in the coming days as electricity demand declines and sufficient generating capacity remains available. Demand has recently reached about 1,200 megawatts at midday and between 950MW and 1,000MW at night.

Available capacity

TSO spokesperson Hara Koussiappa told the Cyprus News Agency on Friday that available production capacity currently exceeds 1,240MW, providing coverage for demand and reserve capacity in the event of a generating unit failure.

“We are not expected to have any cuts or problems in meeting this demand,” Koussiappa said.

She said that if a production unit were lost, any disruption would last only a few minutes while the system was rebalanced.

Lower demand expected

The assessment follows electricity supply problems in July, when record demand coincided with failures at conventional generating units.

Koussiappa said demand had since declined and was expected to fall further from Saturday, August 15, as people leave Cyprus for the holiday period.

“Currently, the coverage of demand is satisfactory,” she said, adding that the situation would be reassessed when holidaymakers return and temperatures change.

Future generation concerns

Officials told the House energy committee last month that nine ageing conventional units at Dhekelia and Vasiliko will have to be withdrawn after 2029 under European environmental rules.

The units account for about 750MW of generating capacity. Officials have warned that their withdrawal could create a significant shortfall if planned energy projects are delayed.