Why doesn’t the government proceed with lowest price tendering for renewables to ensure cheap electricity?

 

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas

25 January 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Everyone should realise that the country is facing serious dangers to its energy security and a large section of our people are confronted with energy poverty.

AKEL’s assessment is that given the delay on the part of the government, the competitive market will not be able to ensure cheaper energy for the Cypriot people in the coming years. However, we insist that there are things that can be done immediately and have a tangible effect for households and consumers. The government should proceed with tenders for renewable energy sources, as is the case in other European countries that ensure low prices. Today the Cypriot consumer pays 18 cents per kilowatt hour to buy energy from photovoltaic plants. In contrast, consumers in Portugal pay 1.5 cents, in Greece 3.5 cents and in Germany 5 cents, precisely because these states are conducting mass tenders at the lowest price. The government is called upon to explain to the people its incomprehensible refusal to engage in lowest price tendering, which the people are paying for out of their own pockets.

In a letter from the General Secretary of the Central Committee of AKEL to the Minister of Energy, we reiterate the need to hold tenders for RES. At the same time, we recall that AKEL has requested a meeting with the President of the Republic on energy issues a few days ago.