Cyprus electricity authority unions plan further industrial action

Unions representing the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) announced on Monday that they are preparing further industrial action following a 24-hour strike held last Thursday. During that strike, EAC headquarters and customer service offices were closed, though electricity supply remained unaffected. Union representative Kyriacos Tafounas stated that the grievances concern the long-term adequacy and high cost of electricity. A primary point of contention is a recent law allowing the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) to enter the energy market, which unions argue will increase consumer prices. Furthermore, the union is demanding a larger share of renewable energy production for the EAC to reduce reliance on conventional fuels. While the state authorized the EAC to operate its own solar parks in 2023, the union claims that land availability is currently exhausted by private companies. Unions are now expected to decide on the specific form of further escalation within the next two days.