Power cut in Northern Cyprus? Yes, it can happen!
Unfortunately, there are still power cuts in various regions of Northern Cyprus. While we were there over Easter in April 2023, there were even several consecutive power cuts in the evenings. This is of course annoying, especially if you rely on light, air conditioning and other devices in the evening. Because the TV and modem also fail, there’s not even any “bridging entertainment”.
The first time, our power went out for about 45 minutes. On the second evening for more than an hour. Olly was just about to switch on the dishwasher and our son was in the shower when suddenly everything went out. Two minutes later, the neighbor’s generator was running loudly. So he was prepared for situations like this. It’s a situation that we’re virtually unfamiliar with in Germany.
What still works in the apartment when there is no electricity?
- Even if there is no more light, you can still use candles. We have placed some in the apartment. Be careful with fire, especially if you have small children. But candlelight makes everything more bearable.
- Cooking is possible! The stove runs on gas. So if you were in the middle of preparing the meal, you can definitely finish it. There’s certainly nothing wrong with a candlelit dinner! The things in the fridge will also stay cool for a while. The electricity should definitely be back in time before anything melts or goes bad.
- There’s also hot water: so if you’ve been in the shower, the water won’t get cold straight away due to a power cut. There is a water tank on the roof with several hundred liters of hot water (the heating must be switched on in cold months. The switch is located next to the entrance to the bathroom on the left-hand side).
Albert is working on finding a short-term failover for the modem and the router so that the Internet should at least still work for a few hours.
Play a game during the power cut!
A complete power cut can sometimes even have a calming effect 😉 In the white cupboard next to the sofa you’ll find Rummikub, a game for up to four people. It’s a great way to pass the time. We are working on offering more games for you. If you like, we are always happy if you bring good games – and maybe leave them for the next family (please only complete games, preferably with instructions!)
Where does the electricity come from?
There are various methods of generating electricity in Northern Cyprus, but they are mainly based on fossil fuels. The majority of electricity is generated by burning diesel or heavy fuel oil in power plants. There are also some small hydroelectric power plants and wind farms in the region, but these can only cover a small part of the electricity demand.
In recent years, efforts have also been made to promote renewable energies in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Projects have been initiated to develop solar energy and geothermal energy in order to diversify power generation. However, there is still much room for improvement and investment in renewable energy in Northern Cyprus.
Some households also have photovoltaic systems and electricity storage. Others use their own generator, which steps in when the grid fails. In the long term, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is to be supplied with nuclear power via an undersea cable, thereby increasing stability.
Feel free to tell us your “power outage stories” if you experienced any while you were here.