The Cyprus Department of Environment has granted a permit for the construction of a large-scale 100 MW photovoltaic park. This will be developed by Total Energies in partnership with Universal Green Energies Ltd.
The new energy project will be located on land owned by Universal Golf Enterprises and will cover the communities of Vasa Kellakiou, Asgata, and Sanida in the Limassol district. This is an important step in Cyprus' energy transition to sustainable and clean energy sources.
The new park will cover an area of 833,000 m2, with 440,000 m2 allocated for the installation of 170,000 photovoltaic panels. Initially, more than 2 million m2 of land was reserved for the project. However, during the environmental assessment process, part of the area was excluded to protect valuable natural ecosystems.
The project will also include the construction of a substation and auxiliary infrastructure (offices, warehouses, service facilities), the development of roads and access areas, and the creation of conditions for the subsequent maintenance and operation of the facility.
The park will generate around 160,000 MWh of electricity per year. This is equivalent to the needs of around 33,000 households. At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by an amount comparable to planting 4 million trees.
The Department of Environmental Protection has imposed strict conditions for the protection of fauna and flora. These include:
- The Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a rare bird of prey that nests in this area. It is vital that its habitat is preserved.
- The installation of structures in sensitive areas, such as watercourses and protective strips, is strictly prohibited.
- Construction on slopes with a gradient of more than 25% is strictly prohibited.
Following a preliminary assessment, the project was redesigned. The western part, which is critical for birds, was excluded from the site. The Department of Forestry has given its agreement for trees and shrubs in the construction zone to be transplanted.
Construction will be finished within two years of obtaining the necessary documents. The project will make Cyprus significantly more energy self-sufficient. It will also promote the ecological balance and sustainable development of the island.