Citizens are paying the price for the government’s inability to reduce electricity costs

Statement AKEL Political Bureau & Head of Economic Policy Charis Polycarpou

AKEL issued warnings, the government responded by praising itself

21 September 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The new postponement in the operation of the competitive electricity market is yet another expression of the government’s inability to handle in a strategic manner important issues, even endangering the country’s energy security. Its an incompetence that is costing citizens dearly.

The responsibilities for this situation are not current, but bear the indelible mark of the Anastasiades-DISY government.

The long delay in the arrival of natural gas for the generation of electricity, the unsatisfactory penetration of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy mix and the obstacles to the development of energy storage create huge financial costs, with taxpayers once again footing the bill. And as if that weren’t enough, the government ruling forces are brazenly blocking the implementation of proposals for laws that were passed by the majority in Parliament, aiming at providing relief to households and businesses from the increases in the price of electricity.

AKEL has not remembered the problems noted in the energy sector today. It has long been issuing warnings in letters addressed to the President of the Republic and the Minister of Energy. Instead of replies, the Energy Minister praised the government for opening up the electricity market which would supposedly lead to a reduction in electricity prices at the end of 2022. Today the Minster owes citizens replies. She should explain the government’s inability to reduce costs in electricity to society.