“The Vassiliko power station has been seriously damaged by the explosions at the Evangelos Florakis naval base”, Chairman of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Haris Thrasou told the CNA.

In his statements to the CNA, Mr. Thrasou, who is on his way to Vassiliko to inspect the size of the damage, said that the damages are serious.

Responding to the relevant question, Mr. Thrasou said that the station is out of order and EAC is under strong pressure to cover the electricity needs of Cyprus with the remaining units.

According to ANT1 sources at 10.45 am, the problems in power supply might take long period of time.

The Transmission System Operator tries hard to satisfy the demand for electricity on a nationwide basis from the Dekeleia and Moni power stations.

In his statements to CNA, Manager of TSO, Christos Christodoulides said that the TSO goes on rotating power outages across Cyprus. “Vassiliko power station is out of order and we try to give load on a nationwide basis from Dekeleia and Moni (500 MW and 250 MW respectively), but not the whole load can be covered since Vassiliko produces energy of 800 MW”, he said.

Mr. Christodoulides said that the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Paschalides visited the National Energy Control Center for a spot inspection and is on his way to Vassiliko.

“TSO has not been yet informed on the condition of Vassiliko station because the Police do not allow the entrance”, he noted.

“The damages in Vassiliko seem to be quite serious due to the shock waves from the explosion, which affected the plant”, he added.

“We try hard to satisfy demand but we cannot cover the increased demand due to the high temperature”, he stressed.

Earlier today, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry appealed to the companies that can use generators to turn off the air conditions.