Alternattiva Demokratika said that following a query earlier this summer when the EU Commission had confirmed its investigation into the Delimara power station tendering process, AD notes the contents of the letter of formal notice from Michel Barnier EU Commissioner for the Internal Market to Malta’s Foreign Minister Tonio Borg.

The European Commissioner in particular pointed out that the change in technical specifications which took place at a late stage in the tendering process was not required for the purpose of compliance with EU legislation. The change increased the emission limits for diesel engines but retained current emission values for gas plants thereby giving an unfair advantage to those submitting an offer of a diesel powered plant, AD said.

AD went on to say that given that a diesel powered plant was selected it is clear that as a result of the change in the emission levels the selected tenderer benefitted from an unfair advantage.

AD concluded by saying that it calls for an independent inquiry to investigate what motivated the change in the regulations and in particular whether such changes were the result of lobbying from sources close to the tenderers or their advisors. The Prime Minister cannot continue avoid giving clear and honest answers to the public’s legitimate questions.

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