Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said this morning that Malta needs a proper energy policy, not parliamentary gimmicks and energy populism.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “unfortunately parliamentary gimmicks and energy populism are dictating energy policy matters in parliament. Franco Debono first votes in favour of the current BSWC dirty fuel project in Delimara, and now tables a motion against it. The Nationalist Government retains rock-bottom status in EU as regards renewable energy. Labour promises to reduce energy bills without saying how, and dreams of zero-emission floating power station fantasies.”

“The state needs to play a leading role in energy policy and should give priority to renewable energy. It should subsidise the basic consumption of energy while penalizing waste. The state can make good the expenditure required by progressive fiscal measures such as windfall taxes and taxes on those that harm the environment and financial speculation.”

Ralph Cassar, AD Secretary General and spokesperson on Energy, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “The neglect of the energy sector under successive PN Ministers is astounding. After two decades in government, Malta’s energy policy remains just a draft. The concept of “planning” seems to be alien to this government. Labour continues to fuel hopes of cheap electricity and panders to companies peddling billion euro coal power plants.

“Our proposals are crystal clear: first energy efficiency should be top priority, secondly massive investment to use as much as possible of available roof space for renewable energy systems. While some large energy infrastructure projects are necessary, including wind farms – which technology is already well developed, the aim should also be to invest in micro-projects which when added up will provide a sizeable chunk of renewable energy to meet the needs of the country.

“The lack of vision of the two other parties and their misleading populism means that Malta is still dependent on oil – making our economy very vulnerable,” Ralph Cassar concluded.

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