Recent developments appear to indicate renewed activity surrounding the project for supplying electricity to berthed ships at Limassol Port, although the critical process for connecting the project to the electricity transmission system has yet to be completed. Limassol MP Fotini Tsiridou, who raised the issue through a parliamentary question, told “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that she has observed movement on the matter, while expressing hope that the delays to date will not cost the country access to European funding.
Fotini Tsiridou told “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that she has not yet received the official response provided for under the parliamentary procedure. However, as she noted, there appears to be some movement on the issue. She stressed that this is a particularly serious matter, pointing out that parliamentary oversight is precisely intended to raise critical questions with the executive branch and seek specific answers.
Referring specifically to Cold Ironing, namely the supply of electricity to ships from shore while they are berthed, Ms Tsiridou argued that the project should have already progressed further. She added that similar projects have already moved forward in other port cities through European funding instruments. As she noted, the implementation of the system is particularly important for reducing air pollution and noise caused by ships’ engines while they are berthed.
“Our port should not be disconnected from the rest of the city,” she stressed, describing the installation of a shore-side electricity system for berthed ships as both an obvious necessity and a European obligation for the country. The MP placed particular emphasis on the issue of European funding, expressing hope that the delays recorded to date will not affect either the amount of funding available or the project’s ability to secure financing.
According to Ms Tsiridou, the technical and economic studies, as well as the environmental studies, have already progressed, while the stakeholders involved appear positive and are cooperating towards the implementation of Cold Ironing. As she said, there is a common objective among the Electricity Authority, the Cyprus Ports Authority, the port operators and the companies involved in the project.
However, she pointed out that what had not been clear until now was whether the required applications and procedures had been completed. She added that she would await the official response from the competent Ministry before assessing whether the project’s progress is satisfactory. Responding to questions from “Entrepreneurial Limassol”, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Evie Tsolakì said that action is currently being promoted on several fronts, with the most important being the completion of the studies being prepared under the European DecarbonLim programme.
The programme involves the Cyprus Ports Authority, Frederick University, Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol, DP World Limassol, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Cyprus Transmission System Operator and the Municipality of Limassol. The aim is to prepare a preliminary technical study and a feasibility study for the implementation of the project. According to the Minister, these studies are now at an advanced stage, while the Ministry has asked the Cyprus Ports Authority to provide regular updates on their completion timetable.
Of particular importance is the Minister’s response regarding the connection of the Cold Ironing system to the electricity grid. As Evie Tsolakì explained, the Ministry has already submitted a request to the Department of Lands and Surveys for the allocation of a plot of land on which a substation is expected to be constructed to provide electricity. Following the allocation of the plot, applications will be submitted to the Transmission System Operator for the advancement of the electrification project.
Regarding the risk of losing European funding, the Minister said that the studies being prepared under DecarbonLim will form the basis for submitting a funding application for the construction of the project. As she noted, there is currently an open call for a competitive European funding instrument, and the intention is to submit a relevant application in a timely manner. “The Ministry’s objective is the timely completion of the project within the framework of the European Regulation,” Ms Tsolakì said.
Based on the Minister’s responses, the next critical steps are the completion of the studies, the allocation of the plot for the substation, the submission of applications to the Transmission System Operator and, in parallel, the timely pursuit of European funding.
