During an activity on climate change AD spokespersons called for concrete action for a move towards cleaner energy sources, not only because of climate change but also as a means to improve air quality, people’s health and to reduce the country’s total dependence on fossil fuels.

Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for AD spokesperson on industry, energy and transport mentioned a study conducted by a Malta-based scientist which shows that despite all the rhetoric by Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi, Malta is still far off from reaching the EU target of a reduction in emissions and achieve the 10% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. He said, “The lack of vision in this area is incredible. Words come cheap but action is sorely lacking. Lawrence Gonzi is showing no leadership when it comes to taking the necessary steps to wean Malta off its total dependence on oil. The share of renewable energy technologies in Malta is risible, with less than 0.01% from photovoltaics and 1% savings from solar water heaters. An immediate measure can be the installation of solar water heaters on 50,000 houses throughout Malta and Gozo and the freezing of building heights to ensure that solar equipment can be installed without the fear that adjacent buildings do not shadow this equipment because of changers in planning regulations.”

A Maltese scientist has shown that to reach the EU set targets Malta has to at least achieve: 41 to 260 GWh/year from on-shore and off-shore wind power; from 25% to 50% of all homes with solar water heaters meaning a 60 to 120 GWh/year energy savings; photovoltaic panels on 10% of homes and other buildings to generate 54GWh/year; 2% from organic waste and 5% energy from locally produced bio-diesel from waste vegetable oils.

Only if these targets are achieved will Malta reach its renewable energy targets.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson added, “It is clear that as things stand Malta will not reach its targets. Enemalta lacks credibility, and government policy regarding energy generation is to say the least baffling. The choice of “dirty” energy at the Delimara power station is a case in point. The same can be said for the lack of action to introduce a feed-in-tariff system. Yet again, sustainable development is being used mainly as a buzzword, and not as the basis for a clear policy framework. Unfortunately our bigger political parties often have a short-time horizon and climate change issues have longer-term aspect impacts, and this may be one reason why such issues are often put on the back-burner in Maltese politics. If we seriously wish to address these issues we should mainstream sustainable development and climate change in our national plans and policies, and take all the steps necessary to implement and enforce measures that are conducive to a better and more sustainable quality of life.”

Reference:

Charles Yousif, Institute of Energy Technology, University of Malta, “Energy, Transport and Waste Management: A Review of Maltese Policies to Combat Climate Change,” Proceedings of the 10th International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) European Conference, 7-10 September 2009, Vienna, Austria.

http://www.aaee.at/2009-IAEE/uploads/fullpaper_iaee09/P_171_Yousif_Charles_22-Aug-2009,%2016:55.pdf

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