Concerns raised over battery energy storage project in Alhambra

Plans to construct a large-scale battery energy storage system in the Rotsieri area of Alhambra, Cyprus, have triggered significant local and environmental opposition. The project, designed to include 24 lithium-ion battery units with a total capacity of 40 MW, is located in an agricultural zone. Concerns center on the site's proximity to residential areas, the Lympia dam, a Water Development Department pumping station, and a planned regional technical school, with critics highlighting potential fire safety risks and environmental hazards.

The project’s approval process is now under parliamentary scrutiny. In April 2023, the Environmental Authority ruled that a full Environmental Impact Assessment was not required, provided specific conditions were met, leading to the issuance of a planning permit in October 2023. Environmental organizations, including the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus (EPOK), are now questioning the adequacy of these assessments and the safety measures proposed for the facility.

Parliamentary committees are scheduled to deliberate on the project’s environmental evaluation and licensing procedures. The discussions aim to address whether current protocols are sufficient to protect public health and the environment, particularly regarding firefighting capabilities for large-scale battery incidents.