New solar plant commissioned at Nicosia sewage treatment facility

A new 840 kW (AC) photovoltaic plant has been commissioned at the bicommunal Nicosia Sewage Treatment Plant in Mia Milia/Haspolat. The facility, which was connected to the power grid in August 2026 following a ten-month construction period, consists of approximately 1,860 solar panels with a peak capacity of 1,018 kWp.

The project was funded by the European Union with a budget of 1.6 million euros as part of its assistance program for the Turkish Cypriot community. Managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Local Infrastructure Mechanism, the installation is expected to produce 1.6 million kWh of electricity annually. This output will cover 15% to 18% of the plant's yearly energy consumption, thereby reducing reliance on the grid and decreasing operational costs for the local community.

Wastewater treatment is a highly energy-intensive process. Prior to this solar installation, the plant already utilized biogas to meet roughly 30% of its energy requirements. The introduction of solar power is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 830 tonnes per year, further enhancing the facility's sustainability by increasing its total reliance on renewable energy sources.