Power Outage Hits Famagusta and Karpaz After Insulator Failure, Says El-Sen Head

Tuğcu made the remarks during a press statement in front of the Teknecik Power Plant, organised to highlight the ongoing issues at the facility and the broader energy risks faced by the public.

The protest was supported by the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS).

“$134,000 Daily Burden on the Public”

Tuğcu stated that two out of eight machines at the plant—despite claims they were serviced—are currently out of order. He said this has forced the activation of inefficient gas turbines, resulting in a daily cost of $134,000 being passed on to consumers.

He also accused Prime Minister Ünal Üstel of misleading the public with claims that the government is making substantial investments in energy infrastructure.

Tuğcu further questioned the transparency of gas turbines allegedly donated by Turkey, stating that no official records exist in KIB-TEK’s archives. He criticised the government's energy policies, accusing them of “handing over assets to private interests” and failing to confront the truth.

“Let’s Tour the Power Plant with the Press”

Arguing that KIB-TEK needs to operate independently, Tuğcu invited government officials and the media to tour the plant to verify El-Sen’s claims, saying, “Let them come; we’ll visit the plant with the press.”

“Sparks Fly: Insulators Exploded, Causing Blackout”

Tuğcu highlighted that while countries globally, including the south of the island, have transitioned to silicon insulators, outdated parts are still being used in the north. He confirmed that yesterday’s blackout in Famagusta and Karpaz was caused by insulator explosions.

The poor state of energy management, he added, is forcing the public to seek their own solutions. As an example, Tuğcu mentioned an elderly citizen who had to reset their power meter during a recent outage after being instructed by a call centre.

Chlorine Gas Risk at Power Plant

Tuğcu also warned of a serious chlorine gas hazard at the Teknecik plant. He cautioned that in the event of a leak, “every living being with lungs, including the workers, would perish.”

Criticism of the Government and Prime Minister Üstel

Tuğcu questioned why the ruling UBP has failed to appoint a qualified engineer to KIB-TEK’s board and reiterated allegations that the government aims to transfer energy control to Turkish capital. He criticised what he sees as deterioration in public services, including education, healthcare, and energy.

Eylem: A System of Corruption and Privatisation

KTOEÖS President Selma Eylem echoed the concerns, accusing the government of trying to sell off public institutions without investing in them. She described the current system as mired in “bribery, favouritism, exploitation, and decay.”

Eylem called on the public to persist in the struggle, saying, “We must continue to confront them with these facts until their faces turn red with shame.”