THE GOVERNMENT was yesterday still grappling with how to deal with the energy crisis after the island’s main power station was knocked out by the blast at Mari naval base.
Offers of assistance from Greece and Israel will help temporarily alleviate the energy needs but only to a limited degree.
Greece’s electricity utility (DEI) said yesterday it will be sending over portable power generators with a total output between 90 to 120 megawatts – a fraction of the shortfall. The first 30 megawatts would be sent from a power station in Crete as soon as possible, the DEI announcement said.
The announcement followed consultations between the governments of Cyprus and Greece that began within hours of Monday’s events in Limassol.
A meeting was held yesterday at the Presidential Palace attended by the President, the Commerce Minister Paschalides, representatives of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), the energy regulatory authority (CERA) and the Transmission System Operator.
It was the first brainstorming session to review the situation after the Vassilikos power plant, which used to cover more than half of the island’s electricity needs. The facility used to churn out 770 megawatts.
“A huge effort is underway, from all concerned. It will be no easy task to replace the production at Vassilikos anytime soon,” Commerce and Industry Minister Antonis Paschalides said.
On the cost of the damage at Vassilikos station, Paschalides said it was too early for an assessment. The government has already sounded out the EU for possible financial aid from the bloc’s Solidarity Fund, and plans to make an application soon, he added.
The government is also in contact with Israel for similar assistance. Paschalides said they were in touch with the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Embassy here.
Last night Paschalides confirmed to the Mail a report in the Jerusalem Post that a ship carrying some 10 generators able to provide five megawatts of electricity had set sail from Haifa to Cyprus. The equipment was a donation from Israel, Paschalides said.
Earlier, Paschalides said the government would look to purchase power generators from the private sector, and said the relevant authorities would be drawing up public bid documents.
Paschalides said also that the Commerce Ministry has issued an order making it mandatory for businesses and hotels to use their backup generators if they have them.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the administration was also considering an offer for assistance from the breakaway regime, provided this was done in a way “that does not violate the sovereignty of the Republic.”
Unofficial estimates place the cost of restoring the Vassilikos plant to anywhere between €1 billion and €2 billion. Even assuming that money were not an issue – which is not the case for the cash-strapped government – it could take several months before Vassilikos is back online.
Stefanou deflected a question as to whether the state could afford up to €2 billion to restore the Vassilikos station, saying that the priority was on dealing with the electricity shortage and ensuring that the tourism sector remains unaffected.
Meanwhile MEP Eleni Theocharous has asked the President of the European Parliament for the EU’s assistance, through the provision of floating power plants and a deferment in paying carbon emission fines.
The Vassilikos station itself yesterday resembled a bombed-out area, 24 hours after the facility was hit by a shockwave and shrapnel from exploded ammunition. Diggers have arrived at the site ready to begin clearing the debris.
