Cyprus continues to expand the use of renewable energy across its public infrastructure. The Famagusta District Local Government Organisation (EOA) has announced a public tender for the construction of a modern photovoltaic park at the Achna wastewater treatment plant. The project forms part of a broader programme to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities and is being financed through the European Union's NextGenerationEU initiative.
Tender applications will be accepted until 30 July. Bids must be submitted exclusively through the government's electronic procurement platform (eProcurement). A contractor will then be selected to supply the equipment, construct the facility, connect it to the electricity grid and provide ongoing maintenance for the new solar power plant.
Project Details
The project includes the installation of a ground-mounted photovoltaic system with a total installed capacity of 536 kWp on the grounds of the Achna wastewater treatment facility. In addition to installing the solar panels, the contractor will complete all necessary works to connect the system to the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) grid, enabling the plant to maximise the use of the electricity it generates for its own operations.
The contract is valued at approximately €530,000 excluding VAT. According to the EOA, the project forms an important part of its long-term strategy to modernise public utility infrastructure and transition towards cleaner energy technologies.
One of the project's most significant benefits will be the substantial reduction in electricity costs. Preliminary estimates suggest that once the solar power plant becomes operational, it will generate annual savings of around €400,000. For water supply and wastewater treatment facilities—which are traditionally among the most energy-intensive public utilities—this represents a considerable reduction in operating expenses. In addition to lowering costs, the use of solar energy will reduce the facility's exposure to fluctuations in electricity prices while improving the overall energy resilience of the system.
Funding
The solar power plant is being financed through the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the flagship funding instrument of the NextGenerationEU programme. In Cyprus, the programme supports projects aimed at digital transformation, the development of clean energy, the modernisation of public infrastructure and the reduction of carbon emissions.
A significant share of European funding is currently directed towards energy efficiency projects, as public utility organisations consume large amounts of electricity.
The development of solar energy remains one of Cyprus' key national priorities. Thanks to its high number of sunny days each year, the island has one of Europe's greatest potentials for photovoltaic power generation. In recent years, solar installations have been rapidly deployed not only on private homes and commercial buildings but also at schools, hospitals, municipal facilities, water treatment plants and wastewater treatment stations.
Projects like this help local authorities reduce operating costs while supporting the European Union's climate objectives by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Part of a Broader Infrastructure Modernisation Programme
According to the EOA, the construction of the new solar power plant forms part of a much wider programme to modernise the region's engineering infrastructure. The goal extends beyond reducing electricity costs to improving the long-term resilience of public utilities, lowering their carbon footprint and adopting more sustainable operating practices.
Once completed, the facility will be able to generate a significant proportion of its own electricity from solar power, making the operation of the wastewater treatment plant both more economical and more environmentally sustainable.