A significant cooperation agreement between the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and TERNA A.E. was signed at the EAC’s Head Offices on Wednesday, 16 February by EAC Chair Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou and the Vice-President of TERNA A.E., Ioannis Stefanatos, in the presence of the Director for Energy, Charalambos Rousos, representing the Minister of Energy, Commerce & Industry.
The agreement concerned the construction of the 6th Generation Unit at Vasilikos Power Station, which forms part of the Development Plan of the Core Regulated Activity of Generation. The new, modern and efficient 160MW Generation Unit will add to EAC’s existing total generating capacity from conventional Units and will contribute to securing the adequate generation of electricity and essential backup. The Unit will consist of two gas turbines, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators and one Steam Turbine, with a total capacity of 160MW, and will use natural gas as its main fuel, with the capability of operating with diesel as an alternative.
In 2020, in accordance with all the required legal processes, EAC published an EU tender for the installation of a new Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Unit at Vasilikos Power Station. Bids were submitted in September 2020 and the tender was awarded in 2021 to TERNA Α.Ε. The Project includes the design, supply, installation, commissioning and testing of the Unit. The timetable provides for the new Unit to come into commercial operation by summer 2024.
In the context of the Tender, an Agreement was signed with the construction company for the long-term maintenance of the new Unit’s two gas turbines, up to and including the competition of their first major overhaul.
On behalf of the Minister of Energy, Commerce & Industry, Charalambos Rousos, Director for Energy, reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the multifarious plans of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus concerning the development of both electricity generation and the transmission and distribution networks. The ultimate goal of the Ministry is the uninterrupted supply of electricity and the gradual transition of the country to green energy. Mr. Rousos noted that, “EAC is the country’s main energy pillar and the driving force behind are the organisation’s excellent staff. EAC’s people are constantly demonstrating their ability to work in an organised, flexible, professional manner as they implement whatever demands are made of them in the interest of the Republic of Cyprus.”
EAC Chair Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou stressed that, “In a constantly changing broader environment, EAC is quickly preparing itself to contribute to the securing of an adequate supply of such a vitally important good as electricity. We look forward to the availability of natural gas and, at the same time, we are firmly focused on the goal of exploiting RES. At a time of major and complex challenges, EAC is investing not only in its own future but in the energy future of Cyprus. The EAC development project is one that will broaden our country’s energy horizon, creating new conditions of progress and prosperity for all.”
On behalf of TERNA A.E., Efstathios Natsis, Executive Director Overseas Business, stated that the project is of great importance to EAC and the Republic of Cyprus, since it concerns national energy adequacy and modernisation and the country’s environmental upgrade. He also made special reference to the key cooperation between TERNA A.E. and SIEMENS ENERGY, which will supply the equipment for the Unit and which was represented by Michail Kioumourtzidis, General Manager Energy Projects Greece and Cyprus. Mr. Natsis gave assurances that TERNA’s excellence in construction, combined with the reliability of SIEMENS ENERGY, guarantee that the 6th Unit will be constructed to the highest standards and will constitute a jewel of technology for EAC and the Republic of Cyprus.”
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Press Office: 16 February 2022
