Cyprus is currently grappling with its most severe water shortage since 2008, a crisis that once led the government to import water from Greece via tankers. In light of these challenges, the island is rapidly increasing its desalination capabilities, leveraging both floating and land-based installations.

To secure sufficient water for both household and agricultural demands, officials are speeding up the enhancement of the island’s desalination systems. By 2026 and continuing beyond, there are plans to establish permanent, mobile, floating, and terrestrial desalination facilities to cater to the rising demand for potable water.

The Water Development Department (WDD) has been approached by 53 interested parties with proposals to develop floating desalination units at key coastal sites. These floating solutions provide advantages such as adaptability, swift deployment, and reduced installation expenses when compared to traditional land-based systems.

Thirteen of these proposals have entered an advanced stage of evaluation. Submissions from various countries including Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Norway, and Spain could result in the deployment of desalination units within six months. These units would have production capabilities ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 cubic meters daily. Another set of 40 proposals, which would take between 10 and 24 months to implement, come from countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Malta, China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

Moreover, existing desalination plants in Dhekelia, Limassol, Paphos, and Vasilikos may have their capacity enhanced via temporary units. Initial evaluations suggest that Paphos and Episkopi should be prioritized due to current supply deficits. A temporary desalination facility is planned for these areas, capable of producing 10,000 cubic meters of water per day.

The process of evaluating these proposals is meticulous, requiring comprehensive scrutiny to ensure effective and economical solutions. Each initiative must meet stringent criteria for technical, environmental, and financial viability. Additionally, some proposals may necessitate infrastructure enhancements and regulatory approvals for implementation.

In response to the water crisis, the Ministry of Agriculture has instructed the WDD to launch a public consultation and solicit expressions of interest for both floating and mobile land-based desalination units. If legally feasible, the department aims to enter direct negotiations with suppliers to speed up the implementation process.

Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has indicated that Paphos and Limassol will be the first to feel the effects of the drought. While acknowledging that past errors have exacerbated the situation, she emphasized the robust measures being undertaken to address the crisis. These measures include deploying mobile desalination units, expanding current facilities, tapping into boreholes, and constructing two new permanent desalination plants powered by renewable energy sources.

The crisis is attributed to three consecutive years of drought, outdated and leaky water infrastructure, an over-dependence on reservoirs for drinking water, and a recent fire at the Paphos desalination facility. The government is coordinating with key agencies to accelerate water security initiatives and ensure the rapid execution of emergency measures.