The Cyprus government is making every effort to complete the infrastructure for the introduction of Liquified Natural Gas for electricity generation within the timeframe, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides has said.

The €289-million LNG project, promoted by the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) recorded a nine month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the works for the construction of the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) and the jetty in Vasilcos expected to be completed by July 2023.

Speaking after a meeting with the Democratic Party President Nikolas Papadopoulos, in Nicosia, Pilides said the government will proceed with the preparation of the contract’s documents which will be renegotiated with the construction consortium.

The contactor requests a 10% increase citing rising costs due to the pandemic.

Pilides said a request has been prepared and will be submitted to the Central Committee on Changes and Claims (the body that examines renegotiated public contract) while the Attorney-General will provide the necessary justification.

“The Ministry and DEFA is proceeding with swift steps to conclude the whole process,” Pilides added.