Wind farm construction continues despite pending permit review

Credit: Friday 13 December 2024 | By Gina Agapiou | cyprus-mail.com ~~

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Environmental organisations on Friday reported ongoing construction of a wind farm in the Kelli Natura 2000 area, despite the fact that key permits are still pending re-evaluation.

Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus filed yet another complaint on Thursday about the ongoing construction of the wind farm within the Kellia State Forest in Larnaca and the Special Protection Zone of the Kosi – Pallourokampos area, which is part of the Natura 2000 Network for the protection of birdlife.

According to Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus, as of Thursday morning, a wind turbine with one blade was at the site. By the afternoon, the under-construction turbine had two blades, indicating that construction continued throughout the day.

On Friday, the two environmental organisations observed the uninterrupted continuation of construction work during a field visit, despite prior complaints and legal actions.

For this particular project, the process of re-evaluating two legally binding and essential conditions of the environmental approval and planning permit is still pending, along with the spatial planning and the number of wind turbines in the wind farm.

Construction had previously been halted after several significant and legally binding conditions of the environmental permit issued by the Environment Department and the planning permit issued by the Department of Town Planning and Housing were violated. Specifically, the Forest Department identified and reported the permit violations to the Environment Department and the Game and Fauna Service, while also issuing a fine of €500.

The Game and Fauna Service conducted an on-site inspection and issued an additional fine of €2,000. Meanwhile, the Environment Department sent official letters demanding the immediate cessation of construction activities until the request from the construction company to “amend” certain violated terms of the permits is re-evaluated.

For the specific project, Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus submitted a complaint to the agriculture minister of July 26 this year. In addition, the Forestry Department sent a letter and reported the breach of conditions to the Environment Department on May 2. Subsequently, the Department of Environment sent a letter to the developer and demanded the immediate termination of the construction works on May 8. However, the Environment Department and the Game and Wildlife Department conducted a field inspection on the 22nd of the same month and found that the construction work was still going on.

When asked about the situation, Environment Department Director Lakis Mesimeris told Stockwatch that he had been informed about the latest developments. He stated that the department would promptly investigate the matter and conduct an on-site visit to the area.

Source: Friday 13 December 2024 | By Gina Agapiou | cyprus-mail.com

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