Desalination plants supply 80 per cent of Cyprus’ drinkable water

The water development department (WDD) reported on Tuesday that desalinated water now covers roughly 80 per cent of Cyprus’ total water needs, with daily production from all units reaching around 245,000 cubic metres.

Five permanent desalination plants operate in Dhekelia, Larnaca, Vasiliko, Episkopi and Paphos, alongside two mobile units in Kissonerga and Moni.

Two additional mobile units at Kato Polemidia and the port of Limassol are expected to come online shortly, enhancing summer supply capacity.

“The integration of renewable energy into operations is essential, given the high energy demands of desalination,” the department affirmed in its report, adding that new contracts aim to reduce costs and boost sustainability.

Issues surrounding a planned mobile unit in Famagusta are under review from the agriculture ministry.

Cyprus is at present facing severe water shortages, with dam levels at just 21 per cent and winter rainfall providing limited relief.

Authorities plan to operate 12 units by summer, nine already active, but acknowledge supply may still fall short, prompting appeals for household conservation and irrigation cuts for farmers.

Environmental concerns have emerged over rapid unit deployment, particularly in Mazotos, where EU-protected Posidonia oceanica meadows could be affected.

Residents protest the lack of comprehensive impact studies, calling for independent assessment and verified compliance.

WDD director, Eliana Christidou, said all procedures are approved and monitored, while agriculture ministry spokesperson Elena Fysentzou stressed desalination is necessary due to limited alternatives for drinking water.

Ecologists Movement MP Charalambos Theopemptou urged stronger demand-reduction policies and highlighted water losses of up to 40 per cent from ageing infrastructure, advocating repairs alongside sustainable urban drainage systems.

Coastal engineer Xenia Loizidou previously endorsed desalination but warned that brine discharge can damage marine ecosystems if poorly managed.

Cyprus’ desalination plants currently produce over 550,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually and are projected to consume around 700 Gigawatts by 2030.

Loizidou and Theopemptou criticised the lack of coordinated policy, emphasising that technical solutions alone are insufficient without careful planning, public consultation, and environmental safeguards.