The TRNC assembly has discussed the energy cooperation agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC on 11th October in Istanbul.
During the debate, Minister of Energy and Economy Sunat Atun, said that the equipment at the electricity authority’s (KIB-TEK) power plant is old and can only operate for another 6-7 years. He noted that this equipment will become defunct by 2020/4 and added that even though the TRNC’s electricity needs will be fully met by Turkey, KIB-TEK needs to continue operating.
Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktaş, argued that KIB-TEK could not continue to exist in its current state and asked for the production at KIB-TEK’s power plant to cease, that the power plant be sold off and for the construction of a new gas operated plant. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Denktaş noted that it has been said that if no solution is reached, the Turkish Cypriots will “have no access to the hydrocarbon industry” and they will be on the losing side. Noting that he does not agree with that view, Denktaş argued: “You think that these people are doomed to a solution. We, on the other hand, do not believe that”.
Tufan Erhurman, deputy for the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that he opposes the monopoly on the production and sale of electricity and asked for the formation of a cross-party committee comprising civilian organizations and experts who can formulate an energy policy.
Furthermore, Mehmet Cakici, deputy for the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that Atun had consulted no one in the TRNC before departing for Turkey to sign the agreement and that he had signed a document which “involves nothing but secrecy”.
Finally, Dogus Derya, also a deputy for the CTP, said that transferring electricity from Turkey will mean the end of KIB-TEK, will prevent investments in the renewable energy field and result in dependence on a company from Turkey.
Halkin Sesi
