The strategic importance of the Cypriot liquefaction plant does not seem to be understandable to all, although, all are dealing with the issue of the islands hydrocarbons.
Being merely a passage for the gas pipelines is not sufficient in order to acquire stability on a national level.
What’s important, is to be a source, and so to contribute added value to the product which you produce.
That’s exactly what the liquefaction plant does, because once it brings down gas to -162oC, it converts it into liquid and saves as per capacity, about 600 times.
Also the European Union hasn’t got an LNG station in the area and so Cyprus is an ideal player, being as close as possible to the strategic reserves of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The relationships between Cyprus and Lebanon, Israel and Egypt are very good, and this has been demonstrated with the demarcation agreements.
Consequently, an LNG plant in Cyprus is extremely valuable because it turns it into an energy hub and to a chessboard of stability.
Therefore, the transportation of natural gas to an existing LNG station is not a good choice. It aims to minimize the cost of investment, but in the long run, it creates a dependence that we don’t need. It also gives the impression, that everything is done in regards to the Venus reserve, as if there is no other.
If that does not depict a lack of investment spirit !
Cyprus is now situated in a strategic and energy game, where high strategy prevails and it should not be influenced by regionalism thinking.