A scandal has erupted in Cyprus over the possible construction of a large-scale photovoltaic park in the outskirts of Nicosia.
Local activists are opposing the project by Cyprus Solar Thermal Ltd. The trigger was the investor's intention to cut down more than 1.4 thousand trees on the site where the solar panels are to be installed.
The felling of a large number of trees for the project will have a devastating impact on the natural environment of Cyprus, degrading habitats and negatively affecting the species living in these areas," the activists stressed.
They added that they would stage mass protests if Cyprus Solar Thermal Ltd was given the go-ahead. The first is scheduled for the end of August.
It should be recalled that Cyprus Solar Thermal Ltd submitted an application to the Ministry of the Environment in October 2023 for the construction of a large photovoltaic park.
According to the plan, the park was to be built within the administrative boundaries of the Nicosia district. On a plot of land of more than 3.7 thousand m2, they wanted to install a solar power plant using the latest photovoltaic energy technologies. The new photovoltaic park included several thousand solar panels with a total capacity of 180 MW. It could generate around 303 GWh of energy per year.
According to an environmental study, the estimated cost of the proposed project was €50 million. The construction costs of the photovoltaic park were to be fully covered by the investor company from its own resources.
Construction was expected to start in 2024 and to be carried out in several phases. However, the project has now been put on hold due to disagreements between the developer and activists from the neighbouring villages of Litrodontas, Kataliontas and Matiatis. For its part, the Environment Ministry said that the project had not yet been assessed and that no permits had been issued.