Filenews 2 June 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
EAC has made a proposal to the competent authorities for a significant upgrade of the capacity of the desalination plant in Vassilikos, with the aim of strengthening the water supply of the Limassol district and reducing the dependence on weather conditions and dams with particularly low reserves.
The EAC proposal concerns the construction of a new desalination plant, with a capacity of 40,000 cubic meters per day, next to the existing unit in Vassilikos, which already produces 60,000 cubic meters per day. With the implementation of the proposal, the total capacity will reach 100,000 cubic meters per day. This upgrade is part of the efforts to strengthen the water balance of Cyprus – and especially the Limassol district – which is facing increased water supply needs due to tourism and urban development.
The EAC proposal comes at a time when the temporary desalination plant in the area of Moni, where it is expected to be put into operation in June, is causing reactions from the community of Pyrgos. The residents expressed their strong opposition to the installation of the mobile unit, while they have already asked for compensatory measures from the state. The Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development has clarified that the unit in the Monastery is intended to operate only until the end of 2026.
In this context, the possible expansion of the capacity of the Vassiliko unit can be a crucial factor for the disengagement from the solution of the Monastery, provided that sufficient water is ensured in the wider Limassol area through Vassilikos. According to sources of the Water Development Department (TAY), the possibility of upgrading the Vassiliko unit is under examination, while the EAC proposals are being evaluated.
The existing unit in Vassilikos has already contributed decisively to the water supply of communities such as Pentakomo and Parekklisia, which have faced serious problems due to the prolonged drought. The increase in the pressure of the pumping station in combination with TAY projects allowed the supply of water to eastern Limassol, underlining the importance of the unit.
If the EAC proposal is approved and the new unit of 40,000 cubic meters per day is implemented on time, it is considered likely that the seasonal water supply needs of Limassol will be met – thus preventing the need for prolonged operation of the unit in the Monastery, which would also satisfy the requirements of the local community.
Along with the proposal for Vassilikos, the authorities continue to consider alternatives, including the creation of a new permanent unit in eastern Limassol. However, the location faces serious difficulties due to ownership, environmental and urban planning restrictions, as well as reactions from large developments in the area of the Monastery.
The temporary solution through mobile desalination plants in the areas of Garylli, the port of Limassol and Moni is expected to be implemented by 2026, but the possibility of avoiding the Moni solution now largely depends on the speed of implementation of the expansion in Vassiliko.
The upgrade of the EAC desalination plant in Vassiliko can act as a catalyst for the alleviation of tensions in the Moni area and ensure a stable water supply in the Limassol district. However, the success of the project depends on rapid decision-making and timely implementation of the project, in order to address the upcoming water crisis without resorting to socially controversial solutions. To this end, according to information from "F", today the Minister of Agriculture will hold a meeting on the subject of this proposal.
The water supply agreement from the Vassiliko desalination plant, which belongs to EAC, is expected to expire in July 2033. The capacity of the unit is 60,000 cubic meters per day. It is noted that there is no provision in the contract for upgrading the capacity of the unit. However, the possibility of increasing capacity was discussed with EAC with the construction of a separate unit of 40,000 cubic meters per day next to the existing one.
Between Moni and Vassiliko, the new desalination plant
The major challenges posed by the water shortage of the last three years, which have made its appearance in Cyprus, led the Water Development Department to examine, among other things, the location of a new desalination plant in eastern Limassol with the aim of de-dependence on the water supply needs of Limassol from the climatic conditions. The project under study, is located in the wider area of interest between the Monastery and the Basilica. It is possible to satisfy the increased water needs that arise, especially during the summer season in the wider Limassol area, while contributing, at the same time, to the strengthening of the water balance of Cyprus.
A thorough study has been carried out for the location of the unit taking into account various factors such as the ownership status of the plots, the urban characteristics, the distance from the existing water infrastructure and the sea, the utilization of the existing infrastructure, the spatial distribution of water supply needs in combination with the location of the existing water supply sources and the operation of the water supply network, the characterization of the zones according to the maritime spatial plan, etc.
It is noted that, among other things, it is proposed to locate the unit in the Monastery area on a plot that has been expropriated on behalf of EAC. There are also strong reactions from owners of large developments that are going to take place in this area, which create problems in promoting the implementation of the project.
At the same time, a unit owned by the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus is proposed near the EAC Power Station in the Monastery. It is noted that the consent of the Archdiocese for the expropriation of the above-mentioned plots has been requested and a negative response has been received, due to the fact that these plots are subject to other legal and/or contractual commitments and obligations.
Regarding the proposal for a plant in the Vassiliko Energy and Industrial Area, the Ministry of Commerce has been requested to grant a specific area for the construction of the plant and a negative response has been received, due to the fact that the construction of a desalination plant is not included in the permitted activities/facilities of the Vassiliko Energy Center area.
Another area that has been explored has been reserved for the purposes of the development of the Technology Park, This location was not possible due to the fact that, according to the Department of Lands and Surveys, the initial purpose of the expropriation should be fulfilled, i.e. the development of the Technology Park and subsequently it should be possible to seize land and add a purpose for the construction of a desalination plant.
An investigation was also carried out for a unit owned by the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus in the area of Agios Georgios Alamanos. However, according to the marine spatial planning, the marine study area is characterized as a Natura 2000 network area, within which it is not possible to install marine pipelines of the desalination plant.
