Nicosia: Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Giorgos Papanastasiou has said that the project manager’s report on the Vasiliko LNG terminal will be received in the coming days. Papanastasiou was speaking during Tuesday’s session of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, reviewing the progress of the project.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Energy Minister highlighted the critical importance of the LNG terminal for Cyprus’ energy security. He acknowledged that there have been failures in the past, emphasizing the government’s goal for Cyprus to acquire the necessary energy infrastructure with full transparency.
The Committee’s Chairman, DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, stated that part of the session would be held behind closed doors at the request of the Energy Minister. He subsequently asked Papanastasiou to clarify his statement regarding a change of course for the Vasiliko LNG terminal project.
In his remarks, the Minister reiterated the terminal’s pivotal role in national energy security. He recounted that the contract with the Chinese consortium was canceled due to delays and repeated demands raised by the consortium. Papanastasiou added that the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA) has commissioned the French company Technip, acting as project manager, to review and prepare a study on the optimal way to complete the jetty and onshore works. The government expects to receive Technip’s report in the coming days.
He referred to the Vasiliko terminal, noting that the project is under scrutiny by the European Court of Auditors, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, assuring that responsibility will be assigned where due. He stressed the government’s commitment to the swift completion and safe operation of the project, safeguarding public interest, and managing costs arising from the damage incurred.
The Minister accepted criticism regarding past delays, acknowledging the public’s frustration. He concluded that the government is working towards the fastest possible completion of the project, stressing that it is not an open-ended venture. Papanastasiou reaffirmed the goal for Cyprus to acquire the energy infrastructure it needs with transparency.