Cyprus has announced measures to address the pressure on the scarcity of fresh water, exacerbated by the second driest winter in the last decade and the high demand generated by tourism.
With more than 4 million visitors annually, the country seeks to ensure water supply during the summer seasons by subsidizing private desalination plants in hotels.
Investments for construction and maintenance
The government will allocate 3 million euros in the next two years to help hotels build their own desalination plants.
Additionally, they will invest 8 million euros to repair the pipeline network, with estimated losses of 40% due to leaks.
Existing and future desalination plants
Current infrastructure:
- Four permanent operational plants, each producing 235,000 m³ daily of drinking water.
- A fifth plant out of service due to a fire.
Planned expansion:
- In October, another four mobile plants will be inaugurated with the capacity to generate 30,000 m³ of drinking water per day.
- Long-term plan to quadruple daily production of freshwater in the next decade.
Dependency on dams and current challenges
- Cyprus has a network of 108 reservoirs, with a total capacity of 330 million m³. Currently, they are at 24.6% capacity, a significant drop from 47.2% in 2024.
- Cyprus’s dams are the most numerous in relation to the population of any European country, but their low level reflects the climate challenges facing the island.
Tourism impact and sustainable solutions
Tourism accounts for 13.5% of Cyprus’s GDP, but exerts considerable pressure on water resources.
The government’s strategy, which includes facilitating the construction of desalination plants in sectors such as agriculture and tourism, aims to ensure potable water in the future.
Long-term vision on water scarcity
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, Cyprus is betting on desalination as a key solution to tackle droughts and meet the growing water needs.
This approach includes the modernization of its water infrastructure and the expansion of desalination plants across the island.
Cover photo: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias
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