[PIO] Announcement of the Environment Department regarding the environmental impact assessment of a power generation project in an Industrial Area

The Department of Environment, in the context of the recent discussion in a Parliamentary Committee on the issue of industrial areas and the reports and publications in the press on the procedure for the approval of the environmental opinion for a private power generation project in the Industrial Area of Ipsona, informs and clarifies the following:

The issuance of an environmental opinion for a power generation project of a private company, using decertified liquid fuel after a pyrolysis process in an Industrial Area of Limassol, followed all the legally necessary procedures and technically necessary safeguards, which went through scientific and technical suffering, with the involvement of all relevant state departments, as well as academics.

The whole environmental opinion process took nine years, as it started from 2013 when the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIA) was first submitted to the Department of Environment until 2021 when the opinion of the Environmental Authority was issued. In the intervening period, all necessary assessments, evaluations, emission models based on the proposed fuel had been carried out, and the air emission safeguard equipment systems were evaluated. In addition, the process of de-classification of the liquid fuel required in such cases was carried out, which took as long as necessary and, when it was ensured that the impacts were adequately addressed, a Decree was issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, which was published in the official gazette of the Government. Subsequently, an opinion was issued in March 2023 by the Environmental Authority.

In the event that the project is licensed before it is completed and operational, an application for an Industrial Emissions Permit (IEP) will be submitted on behalf of the operator under relevant European and national legislation, in the evaluation process of which there will be a wide public consultation/presentation of its final design parameters and environmental equipments. The process will culminate in the detailed definition of specific air emission limits and monitoring systems when the equipment is installed and tested and confirmed prior to commissioning.

The Department of Environment is at the disposal of any interested party to provide relevant information or any clarifications on this matter.

(Mg)
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