Filenews 28 February 2024 - by Chrysanthos Manoli
Philenews reports that the new EAC Board of Directors decided at a meeting on Monday to award Cyta the tender for the supply and installation of 400,000 smart electricity meters, in compliance with CERA's regulatory decision and the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU Recovery Mechanism.
The tender was contested by three companies, with Cyta submitting the most expensive offer, but the EAC Evaluation Committee considered that this was the most appropriate proposal, based on the terms of the notice. Cyta's offer reached €40 million. Logicom Solutions LTD submitted a proposal for almost €33.7 million. NewCytech Business Solution (part of Logicom Group) submitted a proposal for €37.6 million. euro.
It is considered likely that the follow-up will be given to the Tender Review Authority, with appeals by unsuccessful or unsuccessful bidders for annulment of the decision. The same happened with the previous tender for smart meters, with the result that there was a long delay and finally it was necessary to launch a new tender last November, with a very fast procedure.
EAC is urgent to complete the process and sign the contract with the successful bidder, since the installation of smart meters will be financed by the EU Recovery Fund on the basis of a specific timetable. According to the commitments of the Republic of Cyprus towards the EU, the signing of the contract with the organization that will supply the 400,000 smart meters must be signed within March 2024. Also, within September 2024, EAC will have to receive 50,000 meters from the contractor and install 15,000 meters. By June 2026, the receipt of 400,000 meters and the installation of 250,000 should be completed.
According to philenews, EAC was concerned with the views of interested parties that Cyta is not entitled, by law regulating its operation, to engage in operations that are not of a purely telecommunications nature. A legal opinion was sought and obtained from EAC's legal advisors, according to which the nature of the project (which includes, according to the legal advisor, telecommunications services) allows Cyta to provide this service.
