A contract for the installation of a mobile desalination unit at the Port of Limassol is expected to be signed on Tuesday, 26 August and the aim is to be operational by January 2026, Deputy Director of Cyprus Water Development Department (WDD), Helena Phinikaridou has said.
She told CNA that the works are in progress and currently, 12 of the 13 units granted by the United Arab Emirates to the Moni power station are operating and supplying water to the network. One plant is expected to be operational soon while another one is expected to arrive in Cyprus in September, she said.
As regards the mobile unit at Garyllis area, the contract was signed on 4 August, with an implementation period of seven months.
But Phinikaridou told the CNA that the contractor aims for completion by December in order to be granted a bonus for early completion.
She reminded that the unit at Kissonerga is operational and an additional 1,000 cubic meters per day will be added by the end of August.
From September, she added, there will be a gradual increase in production capacity to 11,000 cubic meters per day by the end of October.
Phinikaridou said that based on the decision of the Cabinet, the siting process for additional mobile units in the districts of Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta is underway.
She also said that for the permanent desalination units, preliminary studies and land acquisition procedures are also underway. But she explained that these are more time-consuming due to higher requirements and costs.
Asked on the water needs and how these are met, Phinikaridou noted that each district is different. She said that for Paphos and Limassol, the needs are currently being met. However, she clarified that for Paphos there was a delay in the delivery of the permanent desalination plant in the village of Kouklia, which was scheduled to be completed by the end of August.
She said that all necessary actions are being taken to rule out the possibility of cuts in water supply for Paphos district. According to Phinikaridou, the needs are currently covered by drilling and additional quantities that were approved, while the capacity of the mobile unit in Kissonerga has also been increased.
(Source: CNA)
