Two more desalination plants under consideration
Fact: Construction of two new desalination plants in Limassol and Famagusta is under review due to prevailing drought conditions and water shortage fears.
desalination plants
Could Israel keep the lights on and water running during a regional war?
Israeli utilities have prepared for the possibility of conflict with Gaza by deploying backup generators and filling water reservoirs. The Energy Minister reassured Israelis that there is no need to panic about blackouts as Israel has multiple sources of electricity generation. Concerns have arisen about potential damage to critical infrastructure if a full conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement occurs. State-owned utilities are stockpiling inventory and fixing damaged equipment along the Gaza and Lebanon fronts. National water carrier Mekorot has filled reservoirs and set up backup power systems to ensure water supply for at least a week. Check Point Software Technologies has reported a doubling of cyber attacks on Israeli organizations, with many attributed to Iranian groups. Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel has the ability to generate electricity from various sources across the country in case of emergencies.
Water carbon tax to be around one cent per 1,000 litres
A carbon tax of one cent per cubic meter on water is to be implemented as part of green taxes, announced by the Nicosia Water board in conjunction with World Water Day. This tax is aimed at reflecting the environmental cost of water use and its scarcity. The Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan, introduced three years prior, included provisions for this tax but did not specify an amount. The plan highlights the need for reforms due to the energy-intensive and polluting nature of desalination plants, which Cyprus relies on for its drinking water supply. These plants contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and are powered by fossil fuels. The government is urged to require desalination plant operators to reduce reliance on conventional energy and switch to renewable sources. The announcement also touched on the importance of transboundary water cooperation for peace and sustainable development, noting that only 24 of the 153 countries with shared waters have comprehensive cooperative agreements. It mentioned the potential for a bi-communal agreement in Cyprus to provide drinking water across the ceasefire line as a confidence-building measure. Additionally, concerns about drought following a mild winter in 2023-2024 were raised, with actions being taken to increase water storage capacity. Current reservoir levels are at 69% capacity, with inflow this season at approximately 20 million cubic meters, compared to 48 million cubic meters in the winter of 2022-2023 and 154 million cubic meters the previous winter.