Mazotos residents protest against planned desalination plant

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, residents of the village of Mazotos and representatives from the “Save the Coast” initiative group met with the Minister of Agriculture, Christos Senekis, to demand the total cancellation of a planned desalination plant in their area. The group, consisting of approximately 350 members, and the local community council, led by mukhtar Georgios Paphitis, argue that the project threatens the local environment with irreversible damage.

The core of the conflict lies in the government's failure to conduct a public consultation or carry out the necessary environmental studies before moving forward with the plant. Residents feel sidelined, noting that a similar mobile desalination project in Ayia Napa was canceled following pressure from local hotels, whereas their environmental concerns have been largely ignored. They claim that the project lacks scientific validation and local community input.

Opposition to the site has been building since January 2026, when initial protests were staged against the facility. Following the recent meeting, Minister Senekis acknowledged the residents' grievances and indicated that the formal request for the decision to be annulled would be reviewed by the ministry. The community remains steadfast in their opposition, stating they are prepared to defend their coastline from what they describe as harmful industrial development.