Rotational, controlled power cuts began at 6.52 pm on Wednesday, implemented by the Cyprus Transmission System Operator (CTSO) across the whole of Cyprus, due to an inability to meet demand as a result of faults at EAC power stations.
Specifically, in statements to CNA, CTSO Director Stavros Stavrinos said that ‘from 6.52 pm, rotational load shedding began due to an inability to meet demand.’
He added that load shedding would continue until 9.00-9.30 pm and noted that it was being carried out in groups across the whole of Cyprus, with each group expected to experience a power cut lasting approximately 18-20 minutes.
CTSO had announced earlier on Wednesday that, due to simultaneous faults at EAC power generation units at the Dekeleia and Vasiliko Power Stations, and taking into account the total available generation capacity, meeting peak demand during the evening hours (18:00 – 22:00) is considered to be extremely tight, with a likely shortfall in meeting demand.
It was also said that the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) had made intensive efforts to bring an additional unit at Dekeleia online, but this ultimately proved impossible.
Furthermore, CTSO appealed to the public to use electrical appliances sensibly in order to save electricity during the evening peak hours of 18:00-22:00.