Apostolos Tomaras
A private company has built key infrastructure to support the operation of a privately owned power plant in Mari without obtaining the necessary permits, according to a special report by the Audit Office.
The report follows a complaint by the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) regarding the company’s unauthorized construction. Despite lacking approvals, the firm proceeded with essential infrastructure, including a shore substructure, a pumping station, water intake and discharge pipelines for cooling the plant’s generators, and a sea wall. The Audit Office noted that state authorities failed to intervene or prevent these unauthorized developments.
Government Inaction and Post-Facto Licensing Concerns
According to the report, state authorities remained passive while construction progressed. Even after the Audit Office launched an investigation based on the EAC’s complaint, meetings were held with officials where discussions revolved around granting permits retroactively rather than enforcing regulations.
The report highlights a troubling pattern of “unjustified tolerance” by authorities, questioning whether the company was given preferential treatment. It also raises concerns about potential risks to public interest, environmental compliance, and legal accountability.
Extensive Unauthorized Work
The list of unauthorized developments is extensive. The private company reportedly:
- Built infrastructure on state-owned land (Parcel No. 558), which is leased to the EAC, without consultation or approval.
- Constructed a pumping station and water pipelines without securing the required planning and building permits.
- Violated a 2014 planning permit, which required a separate permit for pipelines and the pumping station.
- Laid an undersea pipeline through state-owned and Turkish Cypriot land designated for naval use, without obtaining a lease.
- Built a sea wall (jetty) within a port area, which is a no-fly zone, without approval from the Cyprus Ports Authority.
- Conducted construction work in a maritime military zone without a permit from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Interestingly, the report reveals that while the MoD did not grant a formal permit, it allowed the company to proceed with pipeline construction within the Naval Base’s land area in exchange for “compensatory works” worth over €1.5 million. These included building a football field, a swimming pool, and an Officers’ Club.
Environmental Violations and Legal Consequences
The company also allegedly failed to comply with environmental regulations. The Audit Office found that marine works were carried out without protective measures, risking damage to the protected Posidonia oceanica meadows. Authorities later reported that the company had eventually implemented sediment containment measures following recommendations.
Furthermore, the company did not submit a request to amend its planning permit to reflect an increase in the plant’s capacity from 230MW to 269MW.
A Troubling Precedent
The Audit Office warns that the government’s handling of this case sets a dangerous precedent. The report criticizes state authorities for failing to take timely action, stating that the situation has now created a fait accompli—where demolition or post-facto approval are the only options left. This, the report suggests, could lead to future violations by other private companies.
The case has been referred to the Attorney General, who will determine whether any criminal or disciplinary action is warranted. The report also highlights a lack of central coordination among government agencies, which it says creates loopholes that allow such regulatory breaches to occur.
With state authorities now under scrutiny, the coming weeks will determine whether Cyprus will take firm action against unauthorized developments or allow this case to set a precedent for further irregularities.
*This article was translated and summarized
