Filenews 12 January 2023 - by Chrysanthou Manoli
The Directorate General for the Environment of the European Commission is requesting data from the Cypriot authorities until the end of January, in order to evaluate the request for an extension until 2028 of the operation of the six outdated, energy-intensive and polluting steam turbines in Dhekelia, with a total capacity of 360 megawatts.
From the number and type of clarifications requested by the Commission, through a letter from the Directorate-General for the Environment to the Permanent Representation of Cyprus in Brussels, it is clear that it is not prepared to approve the request without being convinced of the lack of alternatives and without ensuring that the impact on the environment is mitigated. It is also clear that the Commission takes it for granted that the Directive on emission ceilings is being violated, as the Cypriot delegation that had a meeting with European technocrats on the same issue on 25/11/2022 had informed them that since January 2022 the 18,000 operating hours that the EU had by way of derogation allowed the continuation of the operation of the six polluting steam turbines have been exhausted. In other words, a year ago these units should have been shut down and already replaced by other, less polluting, engines, since the Cypriot authorities (CERA, Transmission Operator, EAC and Ministry of Energy) consider that the power of these steam turbines is necessary for the adequacy of electricity and the safety of the system.
It should be noted that in the letter to the Cypriot authorities, the Environment Directorate expresses its concern ("the commission services take the information very seriously") and the information it had from the Cypriot delegation about problems that also exist at the Vasilikos station (units 1, 2, 3), regarding pollutant emissions.
Facts about Dhekelia - Vasilikos
Regarding the Dhekelia station, the Directorate of Environment asks for data on the number of operating hours per year of the units there, the tons of pollutants emitted and the type of fuel used, from 1/1/2020 until today. It also asks for data on the levels of pollutant emissions from the plants and their degree of compliance with EU law, data on air quality in the area and data-assessments on environmental damage in case the operation of the plants is extended until 2028. Similar data are requested for the units in Vasilikos.
Electricity supply
The clarifications requested for the supply of electricity in the coming years are also interesting. Among other things, the Commission asks to know the participation/role of Vasilikos, Dhekelia and Moni stations in meeting the electricity needs and whether any of the stations (they mention for example Moni) are intended to be shut down.
They also ask for information whether there is an intention to change fuel in power plants and whether there is an intention to use more RES, natural gas or diesel (instead of fuel oil).
The EU also asks for timetables and measures to be submitted to it that will guarantee the gradual closure of the Dhekelia plant or the submission of alternative plans / options, with the aim (on the part of the Commission) of compliance with the Directives on pollutant emissions, the regulation of the electricity market, etc.
The last two clarifications are also of great interest. In particular, will the Cypriot authorities be asked whether the steam turbines in Dhekelia will be necessary even after the operation of the EuroAsia Interconnector and whether Cypriot electricity consumers will be able to obtain electricity from Greece and Israel after the electricity interconnection!
