The Council of Ministers approved on Wednesday an extraordinary state aid of 8 million euros for one year to the Provincial Government Organizations (PGOs) and communities with the aim of reducing losses in water supply networks, an annual provision of 1 million euros for the three-year period 2025-2027 for the most remote areas - communities outside PGOs, a Grants Plan for the installation of small private desalination units in hotel units and a simplified licensing framework for small desalination units up to 1.500 cubic meters, with the aim of addressing water shortages.
In her statements at the Presidential Palace, after the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panagiotou, stated that the Government of Nikos Christodoulides is proceeding with dedication and targeted measures to resolve important and chronic problems, such as the water problem and the large losses that exist in the networks under the responsibility of local authorities, which are estimated at approximately 35% to 40%. This, she continued, "is due to the outdated network, which unfortunately has not received proper repair to date."
The Minister of Agriculture said that in this direction, the Council of Ministers today approved extraordinary state aid of 8 million euros for one year, with the aim of reducing losses in water supply networks, noting that these amounts will come mainly from European funds.
"This decision constitutes another targeted intervention to address water scarcity, practically supporting the EOAs and the communities that are responsible for managing local water supply networks," he said.
At the same time, continued Ms. Panayiotou, an annual provision of 1 million euros was approved for the three-year period 2025-2027, in order to implement corresponding projects in communities outside the jurisdiction of the EOAs, strengthening water supply even in the most remote areas.
The Minister of Agriculture also said that in the context of emergency measures to address water shortages, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture for a Grants Scheme for the installation of small private desalination units in hotel units, with the aim of covering their water needs without burdening the government water supply systems. The total amount of aid for the scheme, which will be valid for two years, amounts, according to Ms. Panayiotou, to 3 million euros.
"Another very important decision taken today is the greatly simplified licensing framework for small desalination units up to 1.500 cubic meters," he said, adding that the simplification of procedures covers hotels, local authorities, and also farmers who wish to install small desalination units.
"Therefore, I appeal to local authorities who wish to install small desalination plants to contact the Ministry so that we can proceed with their own financing," said Ms. Panayiotou. She added that based on the new procedures, the licensing and approval of the financing will be completed within a week.
"As a Government, we are investing in solutions with a measurable footprint, supporting local infrastructure and strengthening our collective effort for sustainable and adequate water management in a period of increased pressures due to the climate crisis," he said.
The Minister of Agriculture noted that the new decisions taken today come in addition to two very important actions that have been approved by the Council of Ministers, the National Water Projects Investment Plan with total investments of over 1,2 billion euros and the program of 28 actions to address water scarcity.
