All the required actions and measures relating to the The security of the Vasilikos Energy Center, the only energy hub of the Republic, in which critical energy infrastructures have been accumulated, assured the Minister of Energy, Giorgos Papanastasiou, on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event marking 10 years of operation of VTTI Cyprus, Mr. Papanastasiou stated that he has placed this project among his main priorities, as he, as chairman of the Ministerial Committee for its safe and smooth operation, coordinates the required actions.
Among other things, he said, with the support of the European Investment Bank through the European Investment Advisory Hub, a joint initiative with the European Commission to provide advisory services to investment projects in the European Union, we are currently in the process of developing its management framework. “The result of this effort, which is expected within 2025, will be the creation of an effective organizational structure and governance of the Energy Center to ensure its smooth and safe daily operation and to address the challenges related to the security of Cyprus' infrastructure and supply,” he added.
He also mentioned that the Ministry is promoting the required procedures for the implementation of the conditions set in the Environmental Opinion during the revision of the Spatial Development Plan of the Vasilikos area, which was issued in February 2023.
At the same time, he said that the Cyprus Petroleum Reserves Management Organization has recently signed a contract with the successful bidder for the project of “Design, Construction and Maintenance of the Fire Fighting System of the Vasilikos Energy Center”. The said Fire Fighting System will operate in support of the systems of each company and each terminal for fire protection issues, he added.
In addition, he stated that the road network has already been completed, while other important actions under implementation concern the fencing of the Energy Center, the completion of which is expected within the first quarter of 2025, as well as the promotion of procedures for the installation of electronic security systems for additional coverage of the entire area.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that the construction of the company's terminal in Vasilikos, Larnaca District, substantially contributed to the development of the energy sector in Cyprus, “highlighting our island as a hub for the storage and management of energy products in the Eastern Mediterranean region”.
This, as he said, placed Cyprus on the global energy map and, at the same time, constituted a key cornerstone for the development and upgrade of the Vasilikos Energy Center.
“The company plays a “Since then, it has played a very important role in the operation of the Energy Center, as the terminal and its privately owned pier now serve the needs of both the State – by maintaining petroleum reserves – and other companies,” he concluded.
Source: CNA
