Fidias Panayiotou’s Direct Democracy party has requested a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides, arguing that the Energy Ministry’s response to its proposals on electricity costs and energy security failed to address key concerns.
In a statement issued on 2 November 2026, the organisation described the ministry’s response as technically inadequate and called for specific decisions on electricity supply beyond 2030, power prices, energy storage and grid infrastructure.
The party submitted a memorandum entitled Proposals for Cheaper Electricity and Secure Supply following a nationwide protest on 17 October.
It said the ministry’s response, delivered through a letter from the minister dated 27 October, mainly listed measures already under way and referred to future decisions without adequately addressing its recommendations.
The organisation added that an earlier meeting with the minister and his advisers had also failed to provide satisfactory answers.
Concerns over electricity supply after 2029
Direct Democracy warned of a potential delay of at least two years beyond the end of 2029 before reliable electricity generation using natural gas becomes fully operational.
It stressed that this was a risk assessment rather than a certainty, but called for immediate consultations with European institutions on the possibility of a temporary derogation.
The movement also wants a contingency plan prepared in case such a request is rejected.
Regarding the Dhekelia power station, it questioned whether the planned withdrawal of 360MW of baseload generation capacity would be adequately compensated for by the proposed 80MW of peak-load and reserve gas turbines.
Movement questions electricity price safeguards
On electricity pricing, the organisation argued that the bid limits cited by the ministry do not provide sufficient protection against unjustifiably high charges.
These limits stand at €500 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in the day-ahead market and €1,000 per MWh in the balancing market.
The movement compared them with average monthly wholesale electricity prices of around €200 per MWh, arguing that bid limits should not be confused with average market prices and that balancing services operate in a separate market.
It is calling for an assessment of a temporary price cap based on documented production costs and reasonable profit margins for each technology. Any such measure, it said, should undergo legal review and include safeguards to ensure that savings reach consumers.
Calls for energy storage incentives
The organisation also wants the authorities to examine the introduction of two-way Contracts for Difference (CfDs) for energy storage projects.
It argued that references to working groups and staff training do not amount to a concrete implementation decision for Cyprus, pointing to an approved support scheme in Greece as an example.
On storage capacity, the movement is seeking detailed information covering both power output, measured in megawatts (MW), and storage capacity, measured in megawatt-hours (MWh).
It also wants details on discharge duration, the implementation status of projects and their expected commissioning dates up to 2030.
Grid upgrades and greater transparency
Direct Democracy raised concerns about electricity network restrictions, saying some photovoltaic systems equipped with batteries are currently allowed to connect only on condition that they do not export electricity to the grid.
It called for specific infrastructure projects and implementation timelines to remove such restrictions wherever technically feasible.
The movement also renewed its demand for a public quarterly report covering wholesale electricity prices, balancing costs, competition levels and the actual savings reflected in consumer bills.
It added that respecting the independence of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) does not remove the Government’s responsibility for strategic planning and coordination.
Demand for detailed government response
Direct Democracy is asking the Government to provide a reasoned response to each of its proposals, including cost estimates, the authorities responsible and implementation deadlines.
It has also reiterated calls for targeted tax relief on essential household electricity consumption and a practical plan to ensure adequate electricity supply in 2030.
The organisation’s president, Fidias Panayiotou, said consumers could not continue bearing the cost of delays and the absence of timely decisions.
Also read: Cyprus electricity prices remain above pre-crisis levels
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