Photovoltaic parks and flood barriers to be built in Aradippou

Ongoing plans to build photovoltaic parks and flood barriers in Aradippou are on track, according to the village’s community leader Evangelos Evangelides.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday, he said that once completed, all the planned projects will change the area’s appearance and improve the quality of people living in it.

“One of the most ambitious projects is the construction of a 2.96-megawatt photovoltaic park, which will be owned by the Aradippou municipality,” he said.

The estimated cost of the park is €3.3 million and construction works will begin in March 2023.

“This is a very important project because it will contribute towards the creation of a green city, which all municipalities should strive for if we want to save the planet,” Evangelides said.

“We are also planning to build a second 3-megawatt photovoltaic park in Aradippou, for which the lease, the completion of the tender documents and the issuance of the planning permit are expected soon.”

The community leader then added that the construction of flood barriers in the village will be finished in 2024.

The project envisages the construction of two flood barriers on the Kammitsis and Archangelos torrents, which flow into the Aradippou river.

According to Evangelides, the barriers will have a capacity of 1.1 million and 330,000 cubic metres respectively.

Likewise, they will retain 500,000 cubic metres of water which will cover part of the irrigation needs of Aradippou. The total cost of the project is estimated at €8.9 million euros plus VAT.

Evangelides added that the municipality is particularly focused on the construction of a park, as it aims to create green public spaces within its boundaries.

“Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, parks emerged as the number one choice of citizens for rest and relaxation,” he said.

“The construction of a park in Aradippou would provide an area for people to exercise, play sports and spend quality time with their children and their families.”

“We have already applied for a planning permission to build a park in the area. Its estimated cost is €3.9 million plus VAT,” Evangelides said, adding that the construction of another small park, called the ‘European History Park’, is set to begin in March 2023. Its estimated cost of €350,000 will be covered by the education ministry. The park will feature a small amphitheatre that will be used by primary and secondary school students.

Evangelides added that the construction of two additional courts at the Aradippou Tennis Club is nearly completed, as well as the refurbishment of a listed building in the village.

Finally, he vowed to repair the central Thermopylae street and to revamp both the Costas Kaimakliotis Folklore Museum and the old cinema in Apostolos Loukas square.