Photovoltaic park €77 million and 72 MW capacity

A public consultation is underway on the proposed development until April 2. It will be built in pieces with a total area of ​​0.82 square kilometers. and the altitude of the immediate study area, where the installation of the photovoltaics is to take place, ranges from 185 to 210 meters above mean sea level. The cost of implementing the proposed project is estimated at €77,150,000, which will be covered by AGM Lightpower Limited's equity.

The total installed power from the implementation of the project is expected to be 72MW and the project aims to produce electricity through the exploitation of solar energy and then its distribution to the EAC network. According to the zoning plans, the photovoltaic panels are to be installed in an area that covers almost the entire area of ​​the land that will be leased. The placement of the 114,297 photovoltaic panels will be at least 6m apart. inside the fence. The development will be built on state parcels within the administrative boundaries of the communities of Akaki and Kokkinotrimithia, for which the developer is in the process of entering into a state land lease agreement with the Republic of Cyprus. The proposed project is located in the areas of "Kaukalla of Mali", "Moutti", "Madres" and "Kaukali", just 120m. from the edge of the dead zone.

Within the Wider Study Area is located the area of ​​the Natura 2000 network "Mammari - Denea" (Special Conservation Zone - EZD), which is located 650m. northeast of the proposed project, while 440m. north of the project under study is the state forest of Denia. Accordingly, at a distance of approximately 650m. to the east of the proposed development is the state forest of Kokkinotrimithia, while approximately 1.1 km southeast are the state forests of Paleometochos.

The easternmost boundary of the study area abuts the Nicosia – Troodos highway (A9), while the proposed development is crossed by the primary road network that ends at the Akaki roundabout. In the wider study area, there are a number of machine guns, trenches and outposts of the National Guard, residential units, as well as livestock units, while within the study area there are two abandoned small-scale infrastructures, which seem to have belonged to livestock units.

Accordingly, the nearest single residence is approximately 30m away. northwest of the study area, while the nearest houses (within residential zone H2) are at a distance of 300m. from the north-west part of the proposed project. A horse stable is also found on the easternmost boundary, while it is worth mentioning that the green spot of Kokkinotrimithia is located at a distance of about 180m. north of the development, as well as at a distance of approximately 85m. north of the development is a rabbit farm of the Game Fund. In addition, it is noted that in the wider area, corresponding energy production units using photovoltaic systems have recently been implemented or are planned to be implemented.

According to the National Energy and Climate Plan of Cyprus, it was determined that the penetration of RES in the gross final energy consumption for the year 2030 should reach 23%.

Specifically for the year 2030, the following objectives are defined:

>> 21% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions outside the Emissions Trading System (ETS) compared to 2005.

>> Ensuring that greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land use change and afforestation are offset by at least an equivalent removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere.

>> 23% penetration of RES in gross final energy consumption for the year 2030. Regarding the three indicative sub-targets for the promotion of RES in gross electricity consumption, at least up to 26%, heating and cooling up to 39% and transport up to 14% were set; until 2030.

>> National indicative targets set for energy efficiency: Final energy consumption 2.0 Mtoe in 2030 and primary energy consumption 2.4 Mtoe in 2030. National mandatory target to achieve cumulative end-use energy savings of 243.04 ktoe by in the period 2021-2030. These goals are expected to be achieved in the context of energy planning.

The researchers point out that the project under consideration is compatible with the above objectives, since, both for its construction and for its operation, jobs will be created, while it will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the increase of the contribution of RES in energy production.

Source: philenews.com

Photos: istockphoto.com