Filenews 16 February 2023 - by Angelos Nicolaou
An environmental opinion in relation to the Revised Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos area was issued yesterday by the Department of Environment, paving the way for new activities. At the same time, the Department of Environment invites the Hydrocarbons Service as in cooperation with the competent government departments and services to investigate the suitability of alternative areas for the creation of a second Energy Center, with the aim of decongesting the area of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos area and improving the ability to serve additional projects and investments in the energy sector.
In the new design, the entire sea area of Vasilikos, with the agreement of the Cyprus Ports Authority, is now classified as a port facility. The opinion specifies the conditions and timetable for the relocation of aquaculture whose location affects the smooth operation of the Vasilikos Energy Center.
In the essential terms, it is noted that each new project that is planned to be located within the area of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos Area should be examined in relation to the activities and works that will be implemented during its operation and should be located only within the urban planning zone and area in which the specific activities and works are planned to be hosted.
It is also emphasized that for each new project (onshore or marine) that is planned to be located within the area of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos Area, an Environmental Impact Assessment Study (MEEP) must be prepared, which must take into account the cumulative effects on the environment.
The revision of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos area aims to update it. The reason why the revision of the Spatial Plan is required, is the expansion of the port of Vasilikos, as well as the projects and uses / activities planned to be implemented in the area, which were not taken into account in the existing Spatial Development Plan or there are changes in their design and location in relation to the existing Plan.
The current option of concentrating critical infrastructure in Cyprus is largely a result of the limited land space (since it is an island) and the touristic character of almost all coastal areas, which makes it very difficult to find another suitable area for the location of such facilities.
The concentration of critical infrastructure has the advantage of reducing the cost of connecting installations to existing networks (e.g. electricity transmission network), enables synergies between installations, more effective protection and avoids the creation of intrusive installations in other areas. However, it has the disadvantage that in the event of a "terrorist attack or a serious natural disaster (e.g. seismic activity, tsunami, extreme climatic conditions)", critical infrastructure is likely to be affected with a devastating impact on society and therefore such measures should be taken to reduce the likelihood of this happening (e.g. drawing up an area spatial plan, keeping sufficient distances between different facilities, taking measures to mitigate the likelihood of an accident and affect neighbouring facilities, etc.). The dispersion of critical infrastructure, to the extent feasible, reduces the negative effects of accidents/sabotage/incidents that can cause large-scale damage.
The competent Authority recommends investigating the possibility of dispersing critical infrastructure, and finding alternative areas for their installation, as well as the implementation of appropriate conditions for acceptable environmental impacts in other areas.
With regard to the proximity of energy and military infrastructure, international practice is to locate military infrastructure away from other infrastructure, with the sole exception of military infrastructure which aims to safeguard the security of energy infrastructure alone. The proximity of military and energy infrastructure is a high-risk condition and therefore increased security measures must be provided for in the region. The security of critical infrastructure could be enhanced by implementing strategies of other countries, such as seeking to disperse facilities, protecting critical infrastructure against aggressive military fire, etc.
Since the Naval Base cannot be moved, or in the event that it is launched, a long procedure will be required to do so, in order to avoid a large-scale accident, it is recommended to the SEA that specialized safety studies be prepared, such as: a) Specialized study, b) safety study, c) large-scale accident response plans, for the assignment of which the Vasilikos Management Committee must take care.
The siting of facilities in the flood risk zone
The siting of facilities in areas of potential flood risk is recommended to be avoided and done when there is a lack of alternative spaces. In such cases, measures are taken to minimize flood damage. In the case of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos area, the siting of LPG infrastructure in the floodplain potential risk area of the Vasilopotamos river was implemented after it was judged as the best, under the circumstances, area compared to the alternative options. In the SEA of the Revised Plan, a proposal is made for the non-location of other critical infrastructure in the flood potential risk zone and the preparation of an integrated flood risk management study. On the basis of the results of this study, consider, if necessary, the possibility of siting new facilities, which are critical infrastructures, outside the flood risk zone. If deemed necessary by the studies, additional measures should be taken in existing facilities. In addition, it is noted that it is a necessary measure to protect the facilities from the risk of a flood event, the preparation of relevant flood hazard and protection studies by the management bodies of the facilities and consequently the taking of the necessary measures and the construction of the necessary flood protection works that may arise as a necessity from these studies.
As far as urban planning zones are concerned, with the revision of the urban planning zones in May 2018 and their finalization in January 2020, an extension to the east of the Industrial Zone Category A' (Zone B2) was established in order to have more space for the siting of industrial facilities. In this way, possible future facilities were taken into account, while at the same time allowing satisfactory distances between industrial units.
At the same time, a protection zone was established around the industrial zone (Zones Z3(a) and Z1(a)), in accordance with the recommendations of the Spatial Plan of 2015.
The revised Spatial Plan proposes minor modifications in certain zones. Specific specific uses are not predetermined in the zones. In any case, adequate levels of safety and security must be ensured, as well as levels of dispersion of critical infrastructure to ensure a minimum acceptable degree of energy security for the country. The uses of port and vessel service areas are not predetermined in the Spatial Plan. The Cyprus Ports Authority assesses the port needs, infrastructure, risks on a case-by-case basis and licenses the activities. The risk must remain within acceptable limits.
INTERVENTION
Need for a second energy centre
Everyone understands the need to investigate the possibility of dispersing critical infrastructure, and to find alternative areas for their installation, as well as to apply appropriate conditions for acceptable environmental impacts in other areas.
Through the opinion of the Environmental Authority for the revised spatial plan of Vasilikos, there is a proposal for a review of the siting within the area of Vasilikos for infrastructure that has not yet begun to be implemented, and it is probably not necessary to be in the area and to propose alternative locations by the competent Government Authorities, outside the area of Vasilikos. There are many reasons why the dispersal of critical infrastructure from the Vasilikos area is required, and we expect decisions to be taken immediately before we are faced with a new Mari.
