The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has been carrying out underground cabling works for months as part of efforts to minimise the risk of wildfires, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Sunday.

In a social media post, Panayiotou emphasised that wildfire prevention requires a collective effort, adding that the EAC is implementing various measures to protect high-risk areas.

Among these measures, she highlighted the installation of underground cables, full insulation of the EAC network in high-risk areas such as state forests, the replacement of conductors with fully insulated ones, patrols, tree trimming near power lines, and bird collision deterrent equipment.

In a separate statement, the EAC said these initiatives form part of a long-term plan, given that its overhead network covers 267 km within state forests and 3,433 km in forest-adjacent areas.

The projects are being carried out in collaboration with the agriculture ministry, the forestry department, the fire service, and the game and fauna service as part of a government campaign to prevent wildfires in Cyprus’ state forests.

Priority is being given to high-risk areas such as the Paphos state forest, particularly around Stavros tis Psokas. The EAC said it is closely monitoring the progress of projects included in its strategy through regular meetings.

“The EAC recognises its responsibility to society and the environment and will continue investing in actions that promote environmental sustainability,” it said.

One of the key projects involves installing a 14-kilometre underground medium-voltage cable stretching from the village of Lysos to the Stavros tis Psokas Forest Station and on to the Chorteri hilltop. The project also includes constructing a 700-metre overhead medium-voltage line with fully insulated conductors. The EAC noted that the civil aviation department played a crucial role in enabling the project to proceed.

The authority also said it is in the final stages of completing a study on relocating an existing overhead line in the Kampos Tsakkistras area (Mavres Sytzies), which spans one kilometre and will be equipped with fully insulated conductors.

A special government-appointed team has developed a plan for the full insulation of the EAC network in high-risk areas, particularly state forests.

Looking ahead to 2025, the EAC aims to complete seven additional projects replacing conductors with fully insulated ones—six in the Paphos state forest and one in the Troodos region, covering a total of 11.6 kilometres.

Between February and June, the EAC carries out patrols along all overhead medium- and low-voltage lines within state forests, followed by tree-trimming operations to ensure vegetation does not come into contact with the network.

To prevent electric shocks, bird collisions, and fire transmission, the EAC is installing specialised insulation materials and collision deterrent equipment on medium-voltage poles in areas identified by the game and fauna service.

Bird collision deterrent equipment is also being installed on high-voltage lines. These initiatives are funded by the EU’s Life Bonelli EastMed and Life with Vultures programmes, aimed at preserving the Bonelli’s eagle in the Eastern Mediterranean and reintroducing griffon vultures to Cyprus.