Restoration work begins at Vasilikos power plant

Extensive construction work has begun at Vasilikos power plant, on the southern coast, which was severely damaged as a result of an explosion in a nearby naval base, in early July.

In statements to CNA, Director of the restoration work, Antonis Patsalis, said the area has been turned into a large construction site with restoration work being carried out according to strict timeframes.

Patsalis said that electricity units 4 and 5 of the plant, Cyprus’ largest electricity power station, will be fully functional before next summer, noting that this is very important, due to the fact that Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU on the 1st of July, 2012.

The remaining electricity units 1,2 and 3, of a total power of 400 MW will be fully functional in the summer of 2013, he added.

According to Patsalis, restoration work at the site runs smoothly. He also expressed optimism that the work will proceed according to plan.

Moreover, he said that representatives of insurance companies are expected to visit Cyprus in the first week of November to determine whether they will pay compensation to the Electricity Authority Cyprus (EAC) for the damage at Vassilikos plant.

Thirteen people were killed and dozens were injured when a massive explosion occurred at the naval base, Evangelos Florakis, near Limassol, on the southern coast, in the early hours of July 11th. The blast badly damaged the island’s main power plant, at Vasiliko, resulting in regular power cuts.

The blast occurred in containers, full of munitions, which Cyprus had confiscated from ''Monchegorsk'', a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009. Nicosia was acting in accordance with UN sanctions against Teheran.

The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, is assuming the EU Presidency for the first time. The 18-month EU Presidency began on July 1st with Poland, followed by Denmark the first half of 2012 and Cyprus from July-December 2012.