The government ruling forces are seeking the collapse of the Cyprus Electricity Authority (AHK)

 

Statement by AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson G.Koukoumas

Developments in the energy sector are creating huge risks for the future of the Cyprus Electricity Authority, another semi-governmental organisation powerful private interests are threatening. The initial proposal by Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (PAEK) to exclude AHK from renewable energy production and storage projects is leading to its collapse. By this course of action, instead of consumers benefiting from the reduction in electricity costs, a number of powerful big businessmen are benefiting and maximising their excessive profits.

AKEL had sounded the alarm from early on. For months, we have been putting forward positions and proposals to the President of the Republic and Energy Minister on energy issues and, more specifically, on the situation AHK is facing. For months, we have been calling on the government to take measures to ensure that AHK can fulfil its role. We called for lowest price tendering for renewable energy and for storage systems to be put out to tender, with no exclusions on participation for AHK. The government however isn’t taking any action and for that’s precisely why it needs to give explanation. We recall that the attempt to serve powerful private interests in this sector is documented in relevant observations made by the Auditor General himself.

The attempt underway to exclude from AHK from renewable energy projects directly undermines the semi-governmental organisation. However, it isn’t just the AHK’s viability and future that is at stake, but the interests of the Cypriot people as a whole as well, who is paying the cost of the profits powerful private interests are making in the energy sector.