One of the initial findings of the Minister of Energy was the disappointing to dangerous and counterproductive lack of cooperation among public entities managing energy matters.This observation was well-founded. It had been previously noted by the media that not only were they not collaborating or consulting with sincerity and goodwill, but in some cases, some of them were not even speaking to each other. These were entities to which the State had entrusted the immense responsibility of energy sufficiency, green transition, natural gas usage, increasing renewable energy production, ensuring low electricity prices, addressing long-standing issues of security, stability, and isolation of the system, upgrading the network, and operating a competitive market.The minister initially prioritised restoring constructive cooperation relationships with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). These relationships had been tested several times, with responsibility on both sides, but primarily due to the previous government’s overall responsibility. It was not a matter of bad behaviour or a rude approach. It largely concerned economic and political orientations towards the future and the role of EAC.Mr. Papanastasiou’s efforts to reconcile with the EAC, to collaboratively launch urgent upgrade, expansion, and reorganization programs, were not easy and not all were successful. However, foundations were laid for EAC to enter a new era, as the main and most reliable pillar of energy.With the recent change in the board of directors, there are expectations that cooperation will become more effective. However, the cooperation between the two entities and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) must also be strengthened. Their failures in relationships were many, and their cooperation was not at the desired level. Yes, one is a regulator, another is regulated, and the third is the executive authority. Their roles must be distinct. However, without honest cooperation, they risk being nothing at all.It was announced on Tuesday that, following his initiative, Mr. Papanastasiou dined with the president of CERA and the new president of EAC.Should this be troubling? Is it reasonable to be concerned? Unfortunately, it disturbed and worried some who feared, depending on their camp, that each of the diners could lead the others into poor choices!Unfortunately, yesterday, a statement was issued by the unions of EAC, which -not for the first time- targeted the president of CERA, attributing to him a motive for the uproar over potential electricity price increases. When presenting the budget in Parliament, the CERA president was asked by a DISY MP, Onoufrios Koulla, if EAC had appealed against CERA for the rejected request for price increases, something reported in the media months ago. He answered yes. Should he not have?The stir is not caused by Mr. Poullikkas. It is the President of the Republic, who thought he had struck gold and sent a message to the new EAC board to “avoid increases, over,” and made sure it was widely known, so we could applaud him. The new president of EAC is also to blame for not responding with “wait for us to settle in, and we’ll see,” instead saying we’ll see tomorrow, the day after, and you might hear good news.The unions’ statement does not contribute to rectifying the situation in the energy sector. Unlike the time rightly given by the unionists to the new board before deciding on strike actions.This column hopes that the different policy directions shaped recently by the Minister of Energy for the desired role of EAC in the green transition, energy security, and cost-driven electricity will be adopted by other public players and that everyone will roll up their sleeves to implement decisions beneficial for all consumers, no matter who it disturbs.
