Electricity bills in Cyprus for September were about 12% higher than a year earlier. Compared with 2024, the increase was around 6%. Some residents received bills of €170 or even €450, although they usually paid around €30.
According to Christina Papadopoulou, spokesperson for the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), if a household consumed 800 kWh over two months, its bill including VAT would be about €250.
Why electricity became more expensive
Two main factors affected the size of the bills. The first is fuel costs. EAC’s basic tariff has not changed, but electricity bills include a fuel adjustment charge. It depends on the price of the fuel used to generate electricity. So when fuel prices rise, the increase eventually appears on electricity bills in Cyprus.
The second reason is higher electricity consumption during the summer. In July, August and September, air conditioners are used much more frequently. As a result, households consume more electricity.
In other words, many households faced two factors at the same time this summer: electricity became more expensive, while consumption increased because of air conditioning. As a result, the final bill can be significantly higher than usual.
Why some customers received two bills at once
Some consumers received two bills at once, meaning they had to pay for four months of electricity at the same time. The reason was a technical problem during the connection of new smart meters to EAC’s central system. As a result, some bills were issued late. If paying the full amount at once is difficult, consumers can contact EAC and arrange an installment plan.
Who will receive government compensation for higher electricity bills
The Cyprus government has also extended its electricity subsidy program. On September 30, 2026, the Council of Ministers decided to extend it throughout 2027. For approximately 23,300 vulnerable households, the government covers 100% of the increase in electricity costs. A total of 20 categories of beneficiaries are included.
A subsidy is also available for businesses. Depending on electricity consumption, it can cover up to 85% of the increase in electricity costs. The program is expected to cover around 82,500 businesses, shops and small companies.
However, most ordinary residents of Cyprus who do not fall into eligible categories do not receive full compensation. For many families, the final amount of the bill therefore depends directly on how much electricity they used during the summer. Air conditioning has a particularly strong impact on household electricity costs.