Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou after the meeting with Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Natasha Pileidou

 

14 September 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

We had a very constructive meeting, not only on the increase in the price of electricity, which is the most topical and burning issue, bearing in mind the huge pressure this is putting on households, society and the economy, but we also discussed wider issues in relation to energy, energy security and the overall strategy that the Cypriot state must pursue on this very important strategic issue.

I’d like to express my satisfaction because I would say that AKEL’s initiatives and mobilisation on fuel prices have created a mobility on this matter and a reflection on how to provide, albeit temporarily, some relief to the heavy burden felt by many households and small and medium-sized businesses.

We will be waiting for the government to take these decisions.  Of course, temporary measures do not address the long-term problem that exists in relation to the price of electricity and in general, because we have also discussed this as well, the price of fuel and other basic goods.

It is obvious that various important decisions have been delayed or not been taken, which makes the situation more difficult and complicated, so we have to intensify efforts, so that the arrival of natural gas for power generation purposes can be done as soon as possible and other issues relating both to the tenders for the penetration of renewable energy sources and the strategy on energy.

We discussed these issues and have put forward our views and submitted proposals to the Minister. We have agreed that we will stay in touch in relation to the promotion and implementation of these very important projects that need to be done.