New power station ‘albatross round taxpayers’ neck’ – Bonnici

The new power station will be an "albatross round the taxpayers' neck", according to the Opposition's spokesperson for the environment Charlò Bonnici. He also hit out at the government for the apparent failure to produce a long-term vision on renewable energy.

Bonnici said government's energy plan was never subjected to a strategic environmental assessment, in blatant breach of EU environment regulations.

"Contrary to what government said, such a project should have been based on a plan and not on the electoral programme," he said, adding that the agreement had been signed before the environment impact assessment had been completed.

According to Bonnici, the new power station's process had been vitiated.

The MP said there were no incentives in the energy plan to generate clean energy, given the power purchase agreement was set at 200MW. "How is government looking beyond conventional energy? By mid-September it should have published a draft plan on clean energy. But to this day we have nothing."

"One cannot but help notice the lack of a long-term vision on renewable energy," he said, urging government to look into the possibility of developing a wind farm off Malta's shores.

He questioned what were government's plans in including energy generated from waste or why it had abandoned the incinerator technology which could be used for refuse derived fuels.

"What studies have been carried out to analyse the impact of the new power station vis-à-vis green economy and green jobs?"

On his part, PN MP Anthony Bezzina said the government should have prioritized the impact the new power station would have on Malta's south region.

For example, he said, government should say whether the permanent berthing of a ship storing gas or the dredging required would affect fishermen in Marsaxlokk.

"The Opposition will not shy away from carrying out the necessary scrutiny to ensure that the health and safety of residents is respected and protected."