Filenews 21 February 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The attempt to build a desalination plant in the free area of Famagusta is developing into a thriller for strong nerves. While the Water Development Department (WDD) was one step away from signing with the contractor for the installation of a mobile unit in Ayia Napa, a storm of reactions from the Provincial Self-Government Organization (EOA), local authorities and the business world froze the process, bringing the project to a complete impasse.
The process ran at an express pace due to the spectre of water scarcity. The notice was published on December 2, 2025, the tenders were opened on January 13, 2026, and the objection period ended on February 17.
Although everything was ready for the unit (with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters/day with a perspective of 20,000 cubic meters) to be put into operation next October, the WDD is now taking a wait-and-see attitude. The cause? The fierce intervention of the EOA of Famagusta, local authorities and hoteliers in the area, who accuse the Ministry of Agriculture of voluntary decisions without consultation.
In a catapult letter on February 2, 2026, the president of EOA Famagusta, Giannis Karousos, clarified to the Minister of Agriculture that the location on forest land in Ayia Napa (area of a former camping site) is unacceptable. "The entrance to the largest tourist resort in Cyprus cannot have a desalination plant as an 'attraction'," the letter characteristically states.
"The proposed development is not consistent with either the character of the area or its tourist role, especially in an area known for its acacia forest," adds Mr. Karousos. A letter that was sent, however, after the project evaluation process was completed and the WDD would proceed with the signing of the contract.
At the same time, businessmen in the area express fears about the environmental degradation of the top beaches of Nissi Beach and Makronissos, noting that the project was promoted without an Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIA) and without taking into account European regulations for informing the public.
Counter-proposing solutions that will not affect the tourism product, the EOA and local bodies call on the Ministry to examine two new areas: Kappari area in Protaras and Liopetri River area to Xylofagou. "Any other option does not have our agreement and cannot proceed without serious reactions," the EDA underlines.
At the same time, businessmen operating in Ayia Napa proposed the Ayia Thekla Area, near the Ayia Napa Marina.
Other suggestions have been put on the table in recent days and are being examined by the WDD and the other co-competent Authorities.
However, the WDD highlights the technical difficulties, but also the time required to overturn the data for the province to have sufficient water. According to experts, in case a decision is made on a new location of the desalination plant, it takes at least 18 months to put it into full operation. As a consequence of this, there is a great risk of cuts in water supply in the coming summer.
It is noted that a large part of the coastline of the free province of Famagusta falls under the Natura 2000 Network or is designated as a swimming and recreation zone, which makes the laying of sea pipelines extremely complex. In addition, the new proposed locations lack the necessary infrastructure to transport the produced water to the network.
Today, the province of Famagusta relies on the South Pipeline for its water supply, which is under suffocating pressure during the summer months. The new plant, with a budget of €25 million, is considered vital to prevent water scarcity.
With the government under great pressure due to the prolonged drought and the local community warning with dynamic reactions, the final decision of the Minister of Agriculture and by extension of the Council of Ministers is expected with bated breath. Essentially, the competent Minister has two options: To proceed with the project in Ayia Napa so that next October the desalination plant will be put into operation or to take a risk by looking for a new location with all the consequent risks in case the water reserves are limited for any reason.
WDD: The addition of a new unit is vital
-October 2025 the decision for a unit in Ayia Napa with the aim of operating in October 2026
According to the WDD, the strengthening of the Southern Pipeline Unified Plan (ESNA) through a new desalination plant will contribute to the security of water sufficiency, ensuring that the area of the free Famagusta District will be able to meet future challenges. The addition of this unit is crucial for the stability of the water supply, reducing the risk of water scarcity and ensuring the smooth functioning of the local economy.
The WDD highlights that the region faces an ever-increasing demand for water, especially during the summer months, when tourist traffic peaks, putting a significant strain on existing water supplies.
It is noted that the decision for the construction of a mobile desalination plant in Ayia Napa was taken by the Council of Ministers on 29/10/2025. The decision was approved for the construction of a desalination plant with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters for a period of 5 years after the views of the involved Departments/Services were previously secured.
On 22/1/2026, a new decision of the Council of Ministers approved the expansion of the unit to 15,000 cubic meters of water per day with a contract duration of 7 years.
It is recalled that on 14/11/2024, the Council of Ministers was informed that the examination of the installation of a mobile desalination plant in the free province of Famagusta by the WDD is at a preliminary stage. According to the information at the time, "a specific area has been identified that is state land, but according to the marine spatial plan, the area in which the Unit's sea pipeline should be installed is characterized as a Natura 2000 network area, so there should be a relevant consultation with the Department of Environment. In addition, the required infrastructure for receiving the produced water and distributing it to consumers is not installed nearby. A pipeline should be installed from the point of the Unit to the nearest connection point with the proposed pipeline of Kokkinokremmos (about 8.5 kilometers)".
