The natural connection between renewables and the construction sector

Renewable energy is good news all round for the local construction industry. Not only are regulation and various incentives hastening its introduction but sound economic sense, including increased property valuations and better value to home buyers and operators of these new premises.

Sandro Chetcuti, President of the Malta Developers Association, talks about the challenges the sector faces and how they can be overcome

How did the Renewable Energy Section start within the Malta Developers Association and why did MDA feel the need to set up this new section?

The MDA does not just speak about its belief in promoting environmental friendliness, it demonstrates its commitment towards the environment through its actions. In 2015 it responded to the growing demand from operators in this sector to be represented within the strongest local lobby group that speaks for the interests of the property sector by setting up the Renewable Energy Section within the MDA.

The renewable energy sector is directly linked to the construction industry because nowadays renewable energy technology is integrated in all new construction, whether it is in people’s homes, offices, public buildings and other developments like hotels and other large-scale projects, both at the planning stages and during the construction of the buildings themselves. 

What are the MDA’s aims and goals for this sector?

We see great scope for the development of renewables in the construction sector. As the sector continues to grow, the MDA can play a greater role in ensuring that this sector is truly appreciated. We intend to leverage the natural connection between renewables and the construction sector.

What is MDA doing to promote the use of energy-saving and renewable energy technologies within the construction industry?

The fact that the MDA has chosen to create a section to represent the interests of the renewable energy sector is in itself already a firm commitment to the promotion of these technologies in Malta and Gozo. Internally, the MDA is also encouraging its members to plan their developments – in line with EU legislation and other local regulations – in such a way that they embrace energy efficiency in every sense but also through the integration of renewable energy technologies, such as solar water heaters and PV systems.

How does this fit in with the Energy Performance Certificate? In foreign countries within the EU the EPC has a bearing on the property’s market price. Will this have the same effect in Malta?

It is of the utmost importance that all new constructions, as well as renovated buildings, achieve a high-rated EPC. Yes, it is already making a difference on the market price and it will eventually make a stronger impact in the near future.

All this makes strong economic sense. Developers who are MDA members are all open to change. They are forward looking and willing to gear up to be in conformity with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by 2020.

Do you think that the government is doing enough to promote such technologies in the domestic and commercial sectors?

Great efforts are being made by this administration, including information sessions, but there is a lot more that still needs to be done at all levels. The government is launching financial assistance in the form of grants and FIT for PV technologies, developments that are all very positive.

Nevertheless, these have to be more frequent since grants and FIT are the cause for the sector to have peaks of good business during running schemes and long flat periods when no scheme is in progress.

The trend now is for families to live in apartments, most of which have no possibility to install PV and solar water heaters. Therefore, they cannot benefit from the savings on their energy bills that these renewable energy technologies deliver.

The authorities need to start considering other energy-saving technologies that are already on the Maltese market and include them in the funding schemes, like heat pumps, solar pool pumps, and others.

Do you agree that the government should seriously consider granting financial assistance to developers wishing to implement renewable energy technologies to their projects?

This is certainly an option government would do well to consider for technologies used in building common areas including PVs, heat pumps for pool heating and solar pool pumps. Financial assistance should also be given to the developers when it comes to the use of thermal roof and wall insulation, double glazing, under-floori igloos and other energy saving construction materials.

It is a known fact that stricter installation directives have been implemented by MEPA. Do you think that this is affecting the renewable energy sector, especially the PV industry, in a positive or negative way?

There are always two sides to the coin. The positive is that these directives will surely prohibit installations that are causing an eyesore on our roofs. The negative is that it could be restricting the solar industry market in our country because, with the new directives not all roofs can be used for this purpose.

Nevertheless, the MDA Renewable Energy Sector believes that, with a good balancing of the situation, this could be turned into a win-win situation where everyone, including the Renewable Energy suppliers, MEPA and the Maltese environment, would be benefiting from the outcome.