No breakdown yet of energy sources for interconnector

Malta is importing energy from the European market from plants running on different fuels, as well as solar and wind farms.

However, Enemalta did not provide a specific breakdown of the energy sources imported via the Malta-Sicily interconnector, when requested by MaltaToday. 

In 2016, Enemalta generated over 1.52 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy through the interconnector, almost 68% of all energy generated, the rest being from the Delimara power plants. In 2015, the interconnector provided 46% of Malta’s energy needs.

“Electricity purchased through the interconnector is derived from the Sicilian distribution network, which is constantly supplied by several sources, including power plants running on different types of fuels, grid connected solar and wind farms as well as the island’s interconnections with mainland Italy,” a company spokesperson said.

Electricity imported through the Interconnector is purchased through an agreement with Enel Trade, the trading arm of Italian energy multinational Enel.

“Through this agreement, Enemalta is not restricted to specific sources in Sicily or in other countries, but instead purchases electricity from any market channel that offers the most advantageous rates, including the same day market for emergency or immediate requirements, and the day ahead market for short-term changed requirements,” the spokesperson said.

Malta has a 200MW plant fired by liquefied natural gas operated by the Electrogas consortium (SOCAR, Siemens, and the Gasan-Fenech business groups), whose LNG is delivered by tanker. Another plant, known as the ‘BWSC’ plant, is owned by Chinese state entity Shanghai Electric Power, which owns a 33% stake in Enemalta.

“Enemalta invested in several projects to transform its electricity generation mix, gradually ending the use of old HFO-fired plants and introducing a new selection of sources including low-emission and cost-effective gas-fired power stations, the Malta-Italy interconnector, renewable energy sources and gasoil-fired plants on standby,” a company spokesperson said.

This combination of local sources and subsea interconnection, which came on stream in its entirety in the beginning of 2017, has significantly consolidated the country’s security of supply, since the Maltese islands are now no longer dependent on one large single source for their energy requirements.” 

In 2016, the generation of 2.24 million MWh in electricity decreased by 0.4% over the previous year. Malta registered the highest power generation in 2007 with 2.3 million MWh, followed by 2008 with 2.27 million MWh.

During the last four years, generation of energy from renewable sources registered a substantial increase, from 35,447 megawatt-hours in 2013, to 133,419 MWh in 2016. 

Almost 94% of this energy was produced from photovoltaic cells, while the remainder was derived from either micro-wind plants or combined heat and power plants.

In 2016, emissions from power plants also dropped by 34.8% over 2015, mainly due to the use of the interconnector.