The Electricity Authority of Cyprus remains firm in its position regarding the manner in which Natural Gas should be transported to Cyprus and the choice of a land-based terminal, because this will serve the EAC’s best interests and, by extension, those of consumers too.

This was the final conclusion to remarks made by EAC Chairman Charilaos Stavrakis at a press conference held on Monday 19 November to present the EAC’s results for 2006.

In addition to reiterating the EAC’s long-held position concerning the transportation of Natural Gas to Cyprus, Mr Stavrakis outlined the Authority’s work during the year under review. Its aim, he said, was to consolidate the Organisation’s customers’ acknowledgment of the reliability of the system and the quality of the services that it provides. These services, Mr Stavrakis underlined, will be upgraded and enhanced.

The Customer Charter that the EAC has adopted aims at ensuring that every customer receives the best quality service available. The Organisation’s own performance and productivity indicators, consumer rights, obligations and benefits are all clearly set out in the Customer Charter while a new Customer Service and Billing System, based at the Call Centre, is currently under development.

The Organisation’s Development Plan was given considerable importance in Mr Stavrakis’ presentation of the EAC’s 2006 results. He made clear reference to the Generation, Transmission and Distribution systems which are carrying out significant work that, in its entirety, not only upgrades the capability and reliability of the System but is contributing to the country’s economic development and growth.

Mr Stavrakis also referred to the need for changing the Legal status of EAC in order the Organisation to become more flexible in the new liberalized environment that is being formed. He also suggested some measures in this direction.

The social profile of the EAC has been long established in the minds of the Cypriot people since the Organisation has never been indifferent to social problems. In the context of its social contribution, it has introduced a special tariff for large and needy families while its contribution to and support for the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and other charitable institutions is well-known to all.

The development of energy awareness in Cyprus is high on the EAC’s list of objectives. For this reason it has made a substantial contribution of 500,000 (€854.300) to the Special Fund for Renewable Energy Sources in support of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism’s campaign for the free distribution of compact fluorescent lamps.

The EAC recognizes and appreciates the services of those who, during their time with the Organisation, have left their mark on its operations. George M. Georgiades and Charis Charalambous, as Chairman and Deputy-Chairman respectively of the EAC Board of Directors, achieved significant results and for this reason, the EAC Board has decided unanimously and hounoured them during the ceremony.