The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is taking significant steps to prevent forest fires caused by its power lines, beginning with the replacement of overhead cables in the Paphos Forest. This high-risk area will see the completion of the project by February 2024, ahead of the fire-prone summer season and the bird nesting period.

Speaking to Brief, EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou confirmed that the works will replace 16.6 kilometers of power lines in two phases. The first phase involves 14.3 kilometers of underground cables from the village of Lysos to the Chorteri ridge, while the second phase will replace 2.3 kilometers of overhead lines between the Mavron Sykion Dam and Tsakistra with fully insulated XLPE technology conductors.

Papadopoulou highlighted that similar upgrades have been completed in other areas, and further replacements are planned for 2025 in regions like Pomos, Kykkos Monastery, Milikouri, and Gerakies.

The project stems from close collaboration between the EAC, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Forests, and the Game and Fauna Service. Papadopoulou praised this partnership, noting that a dedicated team from these organizations will continue planning further upgrades throughout 2025.

Recent meetings between Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou and the EAC’s Board of Directors emphasized the urgency of these measures, particularly after last summer’s wildfires linked to the EAC’s network. The Minister called for immediate action to ensure rapid progress in replacing cables in forests and adjacent areas.

While the Paphos Forest project marks the first large-scale initiative to replace overhead cables with underground ones, other similar efforts have already been completed. For instance, upgrades were carried out along the Trooditissa Monastery–Foini route.

Papadopoulou confirmed that additional replacements and insulation of cables will continue in various areas throughout 2025, with projects already underway in other high-risk zones.