Cyprus to fund desalination plants at hotels to reduce impact of water shortages on tourism

Cyprus stated Wednesday it plans to subsidize development of personal desalination crops at inns to make sure the tourism-reliant island nation has sufficient contemporary water to see it by busy summer time seasons when the calls for of tens of millions of tourists put a extreme pressure on dwindling reserves.

Water ranges throughout the nation’s 108 dams are at alarmingly low following the second driest winter in a decade, and the nationwide water provide community is struggling to manage resulting from demand and leaks.

Maria Panayiotou, the nation’s agriculture and setting minister, stated the federal government will present 3 million euros ($3.24 million) of funding over the subsequent two years to assist inns construct their very own desalination crops. As well as, measures will likely be launched to make it simpler and quicker for key sectors reminiscent of agriculture and tourism to construct small scale desalination crops.

Cyprus will spend an extra 8 million euros on fixing pipe infrastructure to scale back water leaks and losses that are estimated as excessive as 40%, based on Panayiotou.

The federal government measures construct on Cyprus’ rising reliance on desalinated water. 4 further cellular desalination crops are scheduled to change into operational in October, producing 30,000 cubic meters (1 million cubic ft) of drinkable water every day.

Cyprus already has 4 everlasting desalination crops in operation, every producing 235,000 cubic meters (8.3 million cubic ft) of contemporary water every day. A fifth plant is out of motion resulting from a hearth.

Panayiotou stated final December that extra desalination crops are wanted to extend every day fresh water manufacturing fourfold over the subsequent decade.

Cyprus continues to depend on an intensive dam community with a complete capability of 330 million cubic meters. Cyprus has extra dams relative to its inhabitants than every other nation in Europe, based on the minister. The dams are at present at 24.6% of capability, in contrast with 47.2% in 2024, official figures present.

Tourism accounts for 13.5% of Cyprus’ gross home product. Vacationer arrivals final yr exceeded 4 million, setting a brand new document.

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