1 comment.Ministry for Gozo increases its usage of sustainable energy
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From January to June of this year, the photo-voltaic panels installed on the roof of the Ministry for Gozo, have generated more than 40,000 units of electricity. This means that the solar system is generating about 30 percent of the electricity required by the various departments, offices and sections that function inside the administrative building of the Ministry.
When the first panels were installed, which had the capacity to generate just 10kW per hour, it was decided that the money saved from electricity consumption would be invested in more panels, thereby gradually increasing sustainability in the use of energy from alternative sources.
At the beginning of this year, more panels were installed giving the current system the capacity to generate four times more electricity than ithe original system and it is expected that by the end of this year it will be generating 50% of the total electricity consumed by the ministry.
The Ministry is also carrying out a detailed study on the possibility of installing more solar electricity systems on other administrative buildings, schools and the Gozo General Hospital . Two projects have already been approved by this study which will cost in the region of €11 million and will utilise European funds.
The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, said that a tender is also currently being assessed for a project to evaluate potential wind power sites across Gozo, she praised the initiatives taken by the private sector in the introduction of sustainable systems, thus reducing costs and also leading to less pollution and more sustainability.
The Minister said that over the last five years more than 1,700 families have received grants totalling nearly € 2 million after participating in government schemes relating to the supply and installation of photo-voltaic panels or solar water heaters. Those Gozitan residents who sell their surplus electricity on the grid can now also benefit from receiving a higher rate of 28c per unit.
Very nice. Let’s hope MEPA don’t approve a multi storey building beside the Ministry for Gozo thereby putting their panels in the shade. But then I suppose that only happens to ordinary Maltese people as this Government always seem to get their priorities right by looking after their own interests.