Bioland Energy has rebounded from a protest against planned photovoltaic parks in Frenaros, which cut a public presentation of the project short on October 17, by issuing a press release outlining the benefits of the park to the residents.
The company said the people’s reaction was the result of misinformation and to rectify this it lists all the information it was unable to present due to the protest.
Representatives of Bioland Energy held a meeting with the local authorities on August 7 and agreed to set up a meeting for October 17 to present the project and answer questions from the public.
On October 17, deputy mayor Costas Michail intervened, “presented data that did not correspond to reality” and urged those present to withdraw, Bioland Energy said.
In its press release, Bioland Energy said an area of 449,071 square metres was to be used, of which 342,461 square metres is barren stony land.
Any neighbouring farms would continue to have access to the road and would be able to continue their works unhindered.
The intended investment was a mere 4 per cent of the total state land in Frenaros and would produce significant benefits for the community.
More than 14,000 trees and shrubs would be planted around and in between the panels to increase flora and fauna, the company added.
It said that in cooperation with the Game Fund and the local hunting club, water and feeding points would be installed to attract birds and wildlife.
Bioland Energy pointed out that the project would furthermore create more jobs and that staff would be hired from the community, while training and employment opportunities would open in new technologies and farming.
The electricity grid of the area would be upgraded at the expense of the company and priority would be given to the residents and businesses for cheaper power, translating into 10 to 15 per cent lower electricity bills for households and 10 per cent for other installations.
Bioland Energy would also be giving significant discounts to residents wishing to install solar panels for their homes.
The company was also willing to contribute annually with sums of up to €150,000 for public benefit projects in cooperation with the local authorities.
Residents of Frenaros in Famagusta walked out of the presentation, furious over planned photovoltaic parks that would cover a combined area almost twice the size of the village itself.
The parks involved various companies, one of which was Bioland Energy. Daily Politis had reported last week that the parks would take over 989,000m² of land, while the built-up area of Frenaros covers only 554,000. Politis said the park Bioland proposed was the largest, to cover 900,000m² of state land.
The residents said the 36 MWd and 42 MWd capacity parks – the former adjacent to a residential area – would affect the fauna and flora, as well as the quality of life of the people, take away agricultural land and cause a serious alteration of the geomorphic nature of the area.
