**Nicosia, Cyprus** – The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) received parliamentary approval for its 2026 budget on Thursday, but the passage was overshadowed by a vigorous debate, exposing deep-seated divisions among lawmakers concerning the island's energy trajectory and the operational status of its power generation facilities. The €2.55 billion expenditure plan, which anticipates a deficit to be covered by borrowing and internal reserves, navigated a contentious floor, with MPs leveraging the budgetary discussion to ventilate long-standing grievances about energy costs, environmental impact, and the pace of transitioning to cleaner fuels.
The focal point of much of the acrimony was the Dhekelia power plant. Despite European Union recommendations for its decommissioning due to substantial emissions, the facility remains operational, a fact that drew sharp criticism. Edek MP Marinos Sizopoulos and Greens MP Charalambos Theopemptou were among those who vociferously questioned the continued reliance on a plant deemed environmentally detrimental. The debate also encompassed the procurement of three new turbines for Dhekelia, a €140 million investment that has been a protracted affair, with promises to upgrade the facility dating back as far as 2013. The parliamentary vote ultimately saw the budget pass with a comfortable majority of 40 to 2, though the dissenting voices, represented by Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou and Kostis Efstathiou, underscored the persistent opposition to certain aspects of the EAC's operational strategy. Attalidou unequivocally labelled the ongoing operation of Dhekelia as "unacceptable," highlighting the environmental and potential health concerns for nearby communities.
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding Dhekelia, the parliamentary session served as a platform for a broader critique of Cyprus's energy landscape. Discussions veered into the complexities of importing natural gas, the infrastructure required for its efficient utilisation, and the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Echoes of past tragedies, such as the devastating 2011 explosion at the Mari naval base, a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with energy infrastructure, were invoked by some MPs, implicitly questioning the prudence of past decisions regarding natural gas storage and handling, particularly in relation to the Vasiliko LNG terminal.
The underlying anxiety about future energy security was palpable. Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou issued a stark warning, predicting a "serious problem" for electricity supply in the coming years, with the potential for summer blackouts if proactive measures are not implemented. This apprehension appears to stem from a perceived inadequacy in the current infrastructure and a lack of decisive action to secure reliable and sustainable energy sources. The EAC's financial health and its capacity to meet the island's growing energy demands were also implicitly scrutinised through the lens of its budgetary requirements and reliance on external financing.
The approval of the 2026 budget, while a procedural necessity for the EAC's continued operations, does little to resolve the fundamental disagreements that surfaced during the debate. The clash of perspectives among MPs, ranging from pragmatic concerns about immediate energy supply to longer-term environmental imperatives, reflects a broader societal and political struggle to forge a cohesive and forward-thinking energy policy for Cyprus. The persistent reliance on older, polluting technologies, coupled with the challenges in fully embracing natural gas and renewables, suggests that the path towards a truly sustainable and secure energy future remains fraught with obstacles and requires a sustained commitment to consensus-building and strategic investment. The continued operation of the Dhekelia plant, in particular, represents an unresolved issue that will likely continue to fuel debate and concern.