A report by Technip, the project manager for the natural gas terminal in Vasiliko, will be received in the coming days, Minister of Energy George Papanastasiou has told members of the House Energy Committee.
Speaking during the 2 September Committee meeting, Papanastasiou pointed out that the issue of the natural gas terminal is crucial for Cyprus' energy security, stating that "there have been failures in the past." He also said that the goal is for Cyprus to obtain the energy infrastructure it needs in a transparent manner.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, DISY MP, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, stated that part of the Committee's meeting will be held behind closed doors, at the request of the Minister of Energy.
He then asked the Minister of Energy, George Papanastasiou, what he meant by his statement regarding a change of course for the natural gas terminal project in Vasilikos.
In his statement, the Minister of Energy said that the issue of the natural gas terminal is crucial for Cyprus' energy security, noting that "we must speak responsibly."
Looking back on the progress of the project so far, he stated that the contract with the Chinese consortium was canceled due to postponement and repeated demands from the consortium.
At the same time, he noted that the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA) has assigned the French company Technip (project manager) to control and prepare a study on the best way to complete the pier and land works. In the coming days, the Government will receive the report from the French company, he added.
The terminal project in Vasiliko was investigated by the European Board of Auditors, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office, he said, adding that responsibilities will be attributed where they exist.
We are interested in the rapid implementation but also the safe operation of the project, the protection of the public interest and the management of the costs of the damage that has been done, he pointed out.
"We are receiving criticism for delays that occurred in the past. People are crying out, their indignation is justified," he said, adding that "there have been failures in the past."
Papanastasiou said that the Government is working to complete the project as soon as possible. It is not an open-ended project, he indicated. “Our goal is for Cyprus to obtain the energy infrastructure it needs in a transparent manner,” he noted.
Addressing the representative of the Legal Service, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis stated that the Attorney General had been invited to attend the Committee meeting, but he did not attend. When the Attorney General is invited, he must attend, he added.
Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou asked the Minister of Energy when the European Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation is expected to end and whether the Audit Office is aware.
The President of the Cyprus Greens- Citizens Cooperation, Stavros Papadouris, stated that "we are waiting for a study on whether the project will be completed."
"Is a change of course necessary? Does anything change in the original plan?" he asked George Papanastasiou.
At this point, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis said that the Minister's response was clear. "Nothing changes in the planning," he said.
DIPA MP Michalis Giakoumis stated that there is disappointment, indignation and anger in society regarding the management of the project.
DIKO MP Panicos Leonidou noted that citizens want to pay less for electricity. “How was the decision to terminate the agreement with the Chinese consortium made without consultation?” he asked.
DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos stated that "eighteen years later, and after paying hundreds of millions of euros, we do not have natural gas."
"Was the initial plan correct or did it prove to be disastrous? Has the Republic of Cyprus made a mistake or not?" he asked. "Let us all self-criticize ourselves about the point we have reached," he added.
AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou said that "it is important to see what we are doing to finish the infrastructure as soon as possible."
"From 2018 to the first half of 2025, we paid €1.3 billion in pollutants," he noted, adding that "we risk being left without electricity and without water."
Addressing the Minister of Energy, he said that "We told you not to talk about timetables, because you will be proven wrong."
"Do you think you've been left out and will say mea culpa? Are you sure that in 2028 we will have natural gas?" he asked.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides asked to be informed of the total cost of the project so far.
AKEL MP Costas Kostas asked George Papanastasiou about the floating unit of Prometheus and what the Government means when it says that criminal responsibilities will be attributed.
DISY MP Nikos Sykas asked the Minister of Energy why the Ministry changed its legal advisors. “You have an obligation to give us timelines,” he pointed out.
DISY MP Averof Neophytou said that there were indeed bad planning, hence the European Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation. "Why wasn't the land infrastructure project finished?" he asked, adding that the consultant and ETYFA are responsible for controlling the materials. He also asked that the Lloyd's study be submitted to the Energy Committee, noting that "the Parliament has been misled."
Subsequently, DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos said that “we all recognise that the project began with a completely incorrect design.” In addition, he suggested that the questions raised be answered in the closed session of the Committee.
Addressing the Minister of Energy, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis asked him what he promised the Chinese consortium and then the contract was terminated, as well as why the negotiation for a direct award failed.
Subsequently, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee declared the opening of the closed session of the Committee, in the presence of the Minister of Energy, the Auditor General, representatives of the institutions, contractors and subcontractors of the project.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
