Filenews 6 January 2023
By Christakis Hadjilaou*
In order to achieve the secure supply of electricity to the Cypriot consumer, there should be on the one hand adequacy in the generation of power (i.e. the available installed capacity generation must adequately meet the demand for electricity) and on the other hand safety in the operation of the Electricity System of Cyprus. Based on the Electricity Market Regulation Law, CERA is responsible for ensuring satisfactory adequacy in the long term and TSOC for the safe operation of the Electrical System.
In the following paragraphs, an analysis will be attempted based on the data and data of the Electrical System, in order to identify any problems and to seek solutions to ensure satisfactory adequacy and safety in the Electrical System.
Adequacy in Power Generation
According to CERA's Decision "144/2017/Calculation Methodology for Installed Capacity Reserve Margin", CERA must ensure that the reserve margin of installed capacity ranges between 20-40%. The reserve margin of installed capacity is defined as the ratio of the difference between available installed capacity and maximum annual electricity demand versus maximum annual electricity demand. Regarding the reserve margin of installed capacity for 2022 and taking into account that the steam turbines of the Dhekelia Power Station - 360MW - are practically no longer available for reasons of compliance with the limit pollutant emissions, it appears that this does not fluctuate within the prescribed limits, with the result that, on the basis of CERA's Decision, satisfactory long-term adequacy is not ensured, especially during periods of peak winter and/or summer demand.
Regarding the unavailability of the steam turbines of the Dhekelia Power Station, it is noted that at the beginning of 2022 the 18,000 allowed operating hours that were granted by derogation by the European Commission for the period 2020-2023 have been exhausted. However, despite the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Commission to terminate the operation and withdraw the aging, costly and polluting steam turbines after the exhaustion of the 18,000 operating hours, this was not possible, due to the failure of the plans of the Ministry of Energy, CERA and TSOC to connect new conventional production (new units) and strengthen the Transmission System.
In view of this tragic development, the Republic of Cyprus was obliged, having no other option to cover the secure supply as a result of the mistakes and omissions of the competent bodies, to submit a request to the European Commission to maintain the operation of the steam turbines until 2029, which will result in unbearably increased operating costs and emission of pollutants beyond the permissible limits.
Regarding the state of emergency, which has forced the Republic of Cyprus to break its commitments to the European Commission to shut down the steam turbines by 2023 and to submit a request to maintain their operation until 2029, huge questions arise, for which convincing answers must be given.
Both CERA - as the competent authority for security of supply issues - and the Ministry - as the supervising authority for electricity issues - should give explanations why, while the commitment to shut down the steam turbines of TH Dhekelia was known since 2010, they have not taken care of the timely connection of new conventional producers and the strengthening of the Transmission System, in a way that ensures the secure supply of electricity to the Cypriot consumer.
Safe Operation of Electrical System
Conventional Production Fleet
The conventional production units of the Cyprus Electricity System are mostly base units, relatively large in size compared to the data of the small and isolated Electricity System of Cyprus (Steam turbines -130 MW- and Combined Cycle Production Facilities (2+1) -220 MW-). These units cannot effectively manage the continuous fluctuations of increased RES penetration and do not have the necessary flexibility for frequent connection and disconnection from the Transmission System. In addition, the loss of these units due to failure causes serious disruption, which can even lead to total shutdown of the Electrical System, especially in cases of marginal operation with synchronized minimum base units. Therefore, both for safe operation purposes and for the optimal management of fluctuations in RES penetration, the System needs targeted enrichment with small and flexible rapid connection and disconnection units. It is emphasized that, for the small and isolated Electrical System of Cyprus, the size of the production units is an important parameter of safe operation.
Operation of the Electrical System with Almost Exclusive Power Supply from the Area of Vasilikos Power Station
The concentration of almost the entire conventional production capacity in the area of the Vasilikos Power Station (HS B) increases the likelihood of causing total quenching, since in case of serious failures in the Electrical System and extreme weather conditions, even total quenching of the System could be caused. It is noted that the recent past, with the explosion in Mari and the destruction of the Royal Theatre, has proved that the presence of ES Dhekelia had prevented the total extinguishing of the System, which would have chaotic implications for the economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
In connection with the above, it is noted with concern that all prospective conventional producers have been licensed by CERA in the wider area of ES Vasilikos, with the visible possibility of the mandatory future operation of the System with almost exclusive supply from the area of ES Vasilikos. In addition, it should be noted that the safe transmission of all the electricity produced from the area of VC Vassilikos to the rest of the Electrical System requires a significant strengthening of the Transmission System. In order to immediately address the problem of the adequacy and safe operation of the Electrical System, the installation of small and flexible units could be designed, even now, to replace the aging, costly and polluting steam turbines of TH Dhekelia.
Comments and conclusions
Based on what is pointed out on this page and taking into account the need for increased RES penetration, which is predicted in the coming years, serious problems arise regarding the adequacy of power generation and the safety of the Electrical System.
The failure to connect additional conventional production in time is already causing a shortage of production, which is covered by the continued operation of the polluting and costly steam turbines of HS D, which places an unbearable burden on the price of electricity.
As far as the security of the System is concerned, the planned concentration of almost the entire conventional production capacity in the area of TH Vasilikos, in addition to requiring a significant strengthening of the Transmission System, increases the likelihood of causing total quenching, with disastrous consequences for the economy.
In order to prevent such an eventuality, the utilization of Dhekelia ES should be immediately studied, with the installation of small and flexible units, to replace the aging, costly and polluting steam turbines of TH Dhekelia, which will contribute to the increase of the level of safety, as well as to the reduction of costs and extensive cuts in RES production in the small and isolated Electrical System of Cyprus.
* Electrical engineer, with many years of experience in the operation of the Electrical System
