The government has approved a plan to build up to 10 new desalination plants to address growing water scarcity issues caused by prolonged drought and climate change, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced yesterday.
The strategy, approved by the Council of Ministers, includes 28 actions: seven immediate, eight medium-term, and 13 long-term measures. The immediate and medium-term actions aim to address the expected water crisis in 2025-2026 and will increase water supply by more than 15 million cubic metres annually.
Four mobile desalination units have already been approved:
- A plant in Limassol’s Garyllis river bed, producing 10,000 cubic metres daily, costing €3.4 million
- A unit at Limassol port with 5,000-10,000 cubic metres daily capacity, costing €4.2 million
- A facility at the EAC Moni power station producing 10,000 cubic metres daily, costing €6.7 million
- A plant near the planned Paphos Marina with 5,000-10,000 cubic metres daily capacity, costing €4.5 million
Additional locations under consideration include sites in Larnaca port and the Famagusta district. The total cost for the mobile units is estimated at €66.4 million, with projected production of 41 million cubic metres of drinking water between 2025-2030.
The long-term strategy includes upgrading five existing permanent desalination plants to increase capacity by up to 50%, and constructing two new permanent facilities through public-private partnerships at Moni and Dhekelia. The Water Development Department is also exploring sites for additional permanent plants in Mazotos and free Famagusta areas.
Other measures include utilising boreholes for irrigation, improving water supply infrastructure, and launching public awareness campaigns to reduce household water waste.
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