Cyprus sets 2027-28 timelines for Pentakomo and Kosi waste facility upgrades

Pentakomo, Cyprus. Cyprus has set timelines for the permanent upgrade of the Pentakomo and Kosi waste management facilities, with contracts expected to be awarded in the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028 respectively. Upgrade works at both sites are estimated to take 36 months.

Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis visited both facilities with Department of Environment General Director Costas Konstantinou and other officials to assess operations, record long-standing challenges and determine the next steps for transitional and final upgrades.

Pentakomo operations

At Pentakomo, discussions focused on progress since the state assumed management of the facility in December 2023.

Since then, the Water Development Department, assisted by the Limassol Development Company, has signed more than 180 contracts for urgent requirements involving equipment, health and safety, fire protection and environmental protection.

Officials said the work had led to a noticeable improvement in operations, which had also been recognised by neighbouring communities. Projects for the transitional period to address current operational needs were also discussed.

Kosi capacity plans

At Kosi, Senekis met officials and the management of the Larnaca-Famagusta Exploitation Council. Discussions focused on projects intended to provide the capacity required for the facility to handle waste volumes from the Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta districts without disruption.

The minister identified close monitoring of timelines and coordination among all parties as priorities during the visits. He said the ministry aimed to address the immediate needs of both facilities while maintaining consistent planning for long-term waste management.

National waste management plan

The final plan for a national waste management network will be outlined in a Department of Environment study on the sustainability of the municipal solid waste management infrastructure network for 2029 to 2035.

Officials decided not to wait for the study to be completed because of the urgency of the problems. Senekis stressed the need for coordination among provincial exploitation councils, District Local Government Organisations and local authorities.

He said the proposed transitional projects were designed to meet immediate needs while being incorporated into the final upgrades, allowing investments to retain long-term value without pre-empting decisions arising from the sustainability study.