Filenews 19 March 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Expressions of interest were announced in January to lease floating desalination plants and use additional onshore units in an effort to address the growing need for water in areas affected by droughts or limited water sources.
More than 50 proposals have been submitted with participation from a wide range of companies from different countries. The process of evaluating these proposals is in full swing, with the Water Development Department (WDD) examining whether the proposed solutions can offer sustainable solutions in 2025 or early 2026 at the latest.
The first criterion set is that they can deliver desalinated water as soon as possible, if possible yesterday. However, despite the strong interest and variety of proposals, there is one major concern that accompanies the process according to the first indications - cost. According to reliable information, a specific proposal concerning the rental of a floating desalination plant within nine months after the signatures, foresees the production of desalinated water at €6 per cubic meter, which is more than double the current cost of desalination, which hovers around €2 per cubic meter for existing onshore units.
This high monetary cost raises serious questions about the viability of these solutions, particularly at a time when the economic environment is uncertain and the need for efficient resource management is becoming increasingly urgent.
The proposed solution could be too expensive to supply water to the affected areas, which is not easy to justify given the limited public resources and the need for cost-effectiveness.
Despite these concerns, WDD officials and stakeholders carefully examine each proposal to ensure that any decision taken serves both the needs of the regions and the economic viability of the solutions. Apart from the cost, the delivery time of the project also plays an important role, while it is noted that most proposals concern projects with significant implementation time.
In any case, the results of this process are expected with particular interest, as water management is a crucial issue for the future of areas facing water scarcity.
New deadline for desalination in Kissonerga
The process for four mobile desalination plants is ongoing. The WDD has announced as a priority the mobile unit of Kissonerga after the destruction of the Pafos desalination plant by fire and will soon announce three more units.
For the desalination plant in Kissonerga, the deadline for submitting proposals has been extended until March 26, 2025. The estimated operating time of the plant is the end of 2025.
The capacity of the plant is 10,000 cubic meters per day and the contractor must put it into operation within seven months of signing the contract, while an economic incentive is provided if it is put into operation earlier with a minimum time limit of four months. This gives a strong incentive to the contractor to run earlier. It is noted that the times given, i.e. a minimum of four months and a maximum of seven months, were in consultation with the market.
The tendering process for the other units is already advanced, while the estimated delivery time is the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 respectively.
The desalination plant in Garyllis, Limassol was announced yesterday, at an estimated cost of €9 million.
The other two desalination plants in Limassol are expected to be announced in early April if all relevant approvals proceed smoothly. Their operation is expected in early 2026 as mentioned in the action plan.
Furthermore, simplified licensing procedures have been advanced for the construction of small private desalination plants for hotels and farmers for water supply and irrigation purposes. The WDD in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism are working together to promote the utilization of desalination by hotels.
It is noted that with the action plan to address water scarcity approved by the Council of Ministers on November 14, 2024, hotel units are given the opportunity to construct and operate small private desalination plants with a capacity of up to 1500 cubic meters for the production of drinking water.
From 235,000 to 510,000 cubic meters per day with projects in the works
In addition, actions are progressing to increase the water supply from existing desalination plants, while the utilization of old boreholes as well as the drilling of new ones in order to enhance the water supply is progressing.
The increase of water supply from existing desalination plants is negotiated with contractors, where technically possible.
The final capacity and timing of completion will depend on the successful outcome of the relevant negotiations.
It is noted that out of the five desalination plants that exist today, there is a production capacity of 235,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day (it is reminded that the plant in Kouklia is temporarily out of operation).
The desalination of Dhekelia gives increased quantities, while with the completion of two additional desalination plants planned in combination with the four mobile units, production will reach a total of 510,000 cubic meters per day from 235,000 cubic meters per day. In this way, 100% of drinking water needs will be covered for the coming decades. At the same time, it will be possible to use the fresh water of the dams almost exclusively for irrigation.
Measures to reduce losses in water supply networks
The losses in the WDD transmission networks are minimal. The major losses are found in the distribution networks of the EDAs and especially in the new areas that have recently come under their jurisdiction as well as where Water Boards did not operate before 1/7/2024.
The WDD technically supports the effort and promotes the funding of loss management programs. Letters have been sent to EDAs to limit consumption and waste through a series of directives including significantly limiting irrigation of green spaces to make them more available for farmers.
