It is indeed a great pleasure to attend the inauguration of the state-of-the-art LPG terminal of the VLPG consortium, since today can only be described as a historic milestone for the wider Larnaca region.
This is because in essence the operation of the LPG terminal marks the completion of the process of moving oil, LPG and bitumen installations from the Larnaca coastal front to the Vasilikos Energy Centre.
In this context, in addition to the multiplier benefits that the operation of the Energy Centre will bring to the local economy and the Vasilikos area, the way is now officially paved for the full exploitation of an area of Larnaca that has been degraded for decades.
I would like to mention the determination shown by the Government and the Municipality of Larnaca and the cooperation we had with the companies in order to make the decision, the investment and the move possible.
Let me congratulate the VLPG consortium, namely Petrolina Public, EKO LOGISTICS and Co-operative Company Synergaz and Intergaz, who invested in the area, always faithfully applying their operating conditions with the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental protection. The investment exceeds 35 million euros, excluding the state contribution.
It is worth underlining that this important energy infrastructure has a total capacity of 4,000 metric tons and includes, among other things, an automatic tanker filling station, a bottling plant and a LPG cylinder maintenance unit.
In addition to the prospects that are now opening up for the coastal front of Larnaca, I would also like to highlight the similar prospects that the area of Vasilikos presents as an Energy Centre on the basis of the targeted plans of the state.
As I mentioned before, it now brings together almost all the energy infrastructure of our island.
It is in this context that the highest level of our priorities was set to ensure its proper operation, with primary concern for the safety of the employees and facilities of the Vasilikos Energy Centre and, equally important, for the residents of the communities of the wider area.
To this end, in March 2022, the Council of Ministers decided to transform the Ministerial Committee and the Steering Committee for the movement of petroleum products into a Ministerial Committee with the main responsibility for supervising and coordinating the implementation of the projects and procedures required for the operation of the Energy Centre within the specified timeframes.
This Committee shall also include a representative of the Coordinating Committee of Nine Communities of the Vasilikos Area, for direct information in relation to the actions and activities taking place.
In addition, a Security Coordination Body of the Vasilikos Energy Centre was established, which consists of representatives of the Fire Service, as coordinator, the Police, the Port Police and the Cyprus Ports Authority, in order to manage and address security issues at the Energy Centre.
I would be remiss if I did not congratulate all those involved for their 24-hour compliance with the duties dictated by the safety rules and through their cooperation to ensure safety, fire safety and smooth operation.
In the region, in addition to the important infrastructure projects already completed, such as the construction of the new Fire Station, which we will inaugurate later, and the First Phase of the Road Network, the following are being implemented or have been rolled out.
- The completion of the upgrading of the road network, which is under construction.
- The installation of perimeter fencing to specific specifications, including security systems and controlled entry gates to the Energy Centre.
- The construction and operation of a Special Police Security Centre, which will include the control centre for the area.
- The integrated fire safety and firefighting system for the site, which will complement and enhance the fire safety systems that each company has on its premises.
Projects which, including the cost of moving oil products, amount in total to approximately EUR 58 million.
At the same time, other actions related more broadly to the energy centre are being promoted, such as:
- The relocation of Economides Metal Recycling, whose activities are not compatible with the area. The relocation of the company is expected to be completed in March 2023.
- The preparation of a Civil Defence Plan, which will cover the entire Energy Centre and will be activated by the Prefect of Larnaca in case of an emergency event.
- The operation of a Safety, Health and Environmental Surveillance Committee for the Vasilikos Area, and
- The establishment of a Management Committee for the governance of the Vasilikos Energy Centre.
From the number of the aforementioned actions and activities, as well as the range of Government Departments and Services involved, you can appreciate the magnitude and complexity of the task of moving and establishing and operating new facilities at the Energy Centre.
Once again let me warmly congratulate the oil, LPG and bitumen companies as a whole, Petrolina Public, HELPE Cyprus, Exxon Mobil Cyprus, BP Eastern Mediterranean, Intergaz, Synergas and Iacovou Brothers, as well as the Cyprus Petroleum Products Storage Company, which acted within the agreed timeframes and fully cooperated with the relevant government authorities, so that we are today in a position to inaugurate the most important of the infrastructures.
Without your will, cooperation and intensive work, the move would not have been completed and for this I thank you warmly.
In closing, I wish the VLPG consortium and all the companies at the Vasilikos Energy Centre all the best, expressing my expectation and certainty for the continuation of the excellent cooperation between us.
(PM/SX)
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