Insurance companies have started paying compensation to the Energy Authority of Cyprus (EAC) for the restoration of the Vassiliko power plant, EAC Chairman Harris Thrassou said.

Speaking to CNA, Thrassou noted that restoration works proceed with a quick pace at the site, especially with regard to the plant’s units 4 and 5, with the latter expected to be fully operational in the coming summer.

The Vassiliko power plant suffered a substantial blow following a massive explosion, last July, that occurred at nearby naval base “Evaggelos Florakis”, near Limassol, on Cyprus’ southern coast.

Thirteen people were killed and dozens were injured following the blast in containers, full of munitions, which Cyprus had confiscated from “Monchegorsk”, a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009. Nicosia was acting in accordance with UN sanctions against Teheran.