The Ministry for Gozo will be installing further photovoltaic panels to those already installed on the Ministry’s rooftop. The new panels will be acquired through the sum of €7,700 that signifies the amount saved on the Ministry for Gozo’s electricity bill since the installation of the photovoltaic energy system in 2007.

The Ministry for Gozo said it is also committed to acquire two electric cars. These are two more initiatives towards the promotion of good environmental friendly practices and the implimentation of the Eco-Gozo vision.

Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, gave more details during a press conference that was held on the Ministry’s rooftop, next to the alternative energy system, as part of the activities being organised by the same ministry to mark World Environment Day, which falls on June the 5th. The photovoltaic energy system, which was commissioned in January 2007 has a capacity of 10 kilowatts and is the biggest system of its type that was installed within public service buildings in Malta.

Minister Giovanna Debono said that throughout the time that this system has been in use, it generated 41,800 KwH of electricity, which is equivalent to 5% of the total energy consumed within the buildings of the Ministry for Gozo that also incorporates the Administrative Centre. ‘This signifies a total savings of €7,700 through the electricity generated by means of this system’, the Minister added.

This amount is also equivalent to a decrease of 36.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions which is equivalent to those emitted by a car which is driven for around 200,000 kilometres or the average consumption of around 28 persons or else seven, four-membered households. Further details regarding the functioning of this system may be found on the electronic website www.eco-gozo.com which information is updated on a real-time basis.

At the same time it was announced that the last consultation exercise related to the eco-Gozo strategy will be held on World Environment Day. This consultation will be held with students attending primary schools in Gozo through a discussion and an exercise in creativity with 8 to 10 year old pupils. The children will be asked to express their ideas about eco-Gozo through a painting. The eco-Gozo strategy is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.

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