MPs seek timetable for completion of stalled Vasiliko LNG terminal

Vasiliko, Cyprus. MPs on Tuesday demanded a clear timetable for completing the stalled LNG import project at Vasiliko, as Defa granted interested companies an additional month to submit binding offers for the remaining works.

Committee visit

Members of the House energy committee visited the facility to assess its condition, Disy MP Nikos Georgiou told journalists.

Officials from Defa, the natural gas public company, and Etyfa, the natural gas infrastructure company, gave the MPs a tour of the site. Etyfa, a Defa subsidiary, owns and manages the LNG terminal.

The on-land facilities and jetty were left unfinished after a Chinese-led consortium terminated its contract in July 2024. The government has since sought subcontractors to complete the outstanding works.

Call for specific commitments

“We don’t have the luxury for more delays,” Georgiou said, adding that each delay carried costs for the state, the economy and the public.

He said MPs would closely monitor the project’s progress and called for specific dates, costs and responsibility.

“Assurances are no longer enough. We need specific dates, a specific cost and a specific responsibility,” Georgiou said.

He added that Vasiliko must be completed and become operational, citing Cyprus’ need for energy security.

Offer deadline extended

Also on Tuesday, Defa head Giorgos Pistendis confirmed that companies had been given an extra month to submit binding offers for the pending works.

Pistendis told Stockwatch that, following a request from the companies, Defa extended the deadline for formal submissions until October 9.