Energy Committee Chairman Kyriakos Chatzigiannis has submitted a dramatic three-point proposal to break what he describes as “complete deadlock” over Cyprus’s natural gas import project, calling for immediate presidential intervention and emergency measures.
Speaking on Omega’s “Echmes” programme with Sotiris Paroutis, Chatzigiannis repeatedly emphasised his urgent triple demand in forceful terms, warning of continued delays to the Vasilikos terminal project.
Three-point proposal includes state of emergency declaration
The committee chairman’s proposal requires the President of the Republic to intervene immediately and initiate necessary procedures, including modification of existing legislation, to resolve the deadlock and complete the Vasilikos terminal as quickly as possible.
Secondly, Chatzigiannis called for the President, in cooperation with the Attorney General and Legal Service, to declare a “state of emergency” regarding electricity supply adequacy, supply security and reducing electricity costs for consumers and the economy, enabling the removal of legal and procedural obstacles preventing new decisions for urgent project completion.
The third element demands the Attorney General immediately conduct an investigation into the tender process and award for the natural gas terminal construction, subsequent developments during project execution under the Anastasiades administration, and actions taken or not taken during two and a half years under the Christodoulides government.
Attorney General urged to investigate project delays and failures
Chatzigiannis said the Attorney General should have long ago initiated separate investigation into delays and postponements in natural gas arrival, calling on him in strong terms to act even now. He emphasised that Giorgos Savvides should not cite ongoing investigations by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office or European Court of Auditors.
When asked whether he recommended appointing an investigative committee for the terminal case, the Energy Committee chairman said he would not specify the institutional method for investigation, but insisted the Attorney General must initiate comprehensive investigation covering the period from the 2018 DEFA tender until today.
Former minister cites ongoing European investigations
Former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, also appearing on the programme, said European Public Prosecutor investigations are examining three aspects of the issue, with findings expected to shed light on what went wrong.
He noted that 12-13 months have passed since the CPP contract was terminated, with authorities studying ways to restart the project without results thus far. Lakkotrypis referenced recent reports about problems identified by French company Technip, hired in May as project coordinator, questioning what these problems entail.
Technical concerns over project viability
French company Technip has preliminarily indicated it has identified problems, ambiguities and gaps in project design by Chinese firm CPP, estimating that FEED studies must be supplemented or extensively modified before proceeding with new construction tenders for sea and land components.
The company also expresses concern about the lack of appropriate safety certificates for equipment purchased by CPP and subsequently received by ETYFA, whilst questioning whether serious foreign companies would be interested in participating in tenders for an incomplete and problematic project.
Technip’s final report on the project’s current status is expected by mid-September, with parliamentary committee hearings scheduled to continue examining alternative solutions for accelerated natural gas imports whilst the main Vasilikos project remains stalled.