Residents and local bodies in Alambra are demanding the immediate revocation of permits and suspension of work on a 40-megawatt battery energy storage park approved for the Rotseri area, after an environmental engineer identified seven serious gaps in the licensing process.
The project involves the installation of 23 battery storage containers with a combined capacity of 40MW on a plot adjacent to licensed residential property.
A meeting of local figures and organised bodies was held on May 6, attended by Deputy Mayor of South Nicosia-Idalion Municipality Iosif Vasiliou, representing Mayor Stavros Hatzigiannis, and Deputy Mayor of the Alambra Municipal District Popi Tsiopani Constantinou. Chemical and environmental engineer Michalis Loizidis presented preliminary conclusions of an environmental impact study he was commissioned to prepare for the project.
Seven gaps in the licensing process
Loizidis identified seven serious gaps in the project’s authorisation:
- No adequate safety buffer from residences. In the event of a fault or fire, the installations could generate high temperatures, toxic smoke and dangerous gases. No documented hazard study has been presented.
- Thermal runaway risk. No complete, publicly available evacuation and accident management plan has been presented for scenarios involving fire or toxic gas release.
- Fire safety questions. It has not been clarified which specialist firefighting system will be used, or whether the relevant services have the necessary training and equipment.
- Thermal comfort and noise. The 23 containers come with cooling and ventilation systems expected to adversely affect living conditions in neighbouring residences.
- Risk to the proposed Technical School. The installation plot is adjacent to the site proposed for the Alambra Green Technical School, a project Loizidis said may be jeopardised as a result.
- Risk to the Lympia-Alambra dam. Firefighting runoff or other discharge from the project would flow into the dam, with no provision made for the protection of the ecosystem or the reservoir.
- Absence of public information and consultation. Residents have not received adequate, scientifically documented information on the risks and impacts on their daily lives.
Residents’ demands
Those present at the meeting expressed strong concern and disappointment at what they described as the “carelessness and frivolity” with which the responsible departments — including the Town Planning Department and the Fire Service — had given their approval for the project.
Residents and local bodies stressed that they are not opposed to renewable energy, but are calling on the state to guarantee safety and transparency.
Their demands include the suspension of works pending the completion of independent studies, the holding of a public consultation, the revocation of all permits, and the consideration of alternative sites away from residential areas.
The Action Committee warned of a forceful response if the demands are not met.