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Greens on Labour energy plan: ‘Welcome but some aspects problematic’
Briguglio: ‘Gas, like other fossil fuels, is expected to rise in price due to limited supply and increase in demand’.
8 January 2013, 12:00am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
1 min read
Michael Briguglio (left)
Mixed reactions have come from the quarters of the Green Party, Alternattiva Demokratika, whose chairperson Michael Briguglio today said that the Labour plan to reduce energy bills using a total conversion to gas was "welcome" but some aspects were seen to be problematic.
"At first glance, various aspects of Labour's energy plans are welcome, whilst others can be problematic. The proposed shift from heavy fuel oil to gas is welcome, meaning that there is a cross-party consensus on a shift to cleaner energy after years of neglect in Malta's energy sector.
"The importance given to renewable energy is also welcome, especially since Malta is
at the bottom of the list in the EU on usage of such energy, but Labour must be clearer in its proposals. What seems to be a progressive tariff structure is also welcome, as this can discourage waste, though this structure has to be studied in more detail."
Briguglio said however that Labour was being too optimistic on the price of gas.
"Like other fossil fuels, including heavy fuel oil, its price is likely to increase in the years to come, due to increase in global demand and limited supply. As regards water tariffs, what is needed is to ensure that theft from boreholes is stopped, as this is creating problems of unsustainability which will result in price increases."
Briguglio said AD's policy insisted on a leading role of the state in energy sector, contrary to Labour's own involvement of the private sector, and a massive investment in renewables, penalizing waste and subsidizing basic use of energy.
"AD will be elaborating its position during a press conference this Thursday," Briguglio said.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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It is now typical of the AD to side with the PN. After all, the only votes they hope to snatch will be those of the PN, not the PL, so they have to please the PN. You are not bold enough to endorse the PL's power policy, even if you know that it is the only way forward to prevent a financial disaster at Enemalta of the magnitude that we have come to be used to during PN administrations.
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kollox mibni fuq ir ramel. xejn cert imma spekulazzjonijiet biss. l-esperti jghidu mod u il labour irid iehor. illum facli li toqod tamel is somom u tikkalkula kemm se jigik il progett u kemm se tiffranka min hawn u min hemm. imma jekk ma ssibx il privat li jinvesti fil progett x'se jigri??? u jekk il privat jinvesti fil progett min se jhallas ghal garanzija u ghal qliegh taghhom??? u jekk sa sentejn ohra il gas jghola x'se jigri??? DAWN IL MISTOQSIJIET U HAFNA OHRAJN IRIDU JITWIEGBU QABEL L-ELEZZJONI U MHUX WARA GHAX WARA IKUN TOO LATE. DIN MI XEJN HLIEF GIMMICK U FROGA OHRA BHAL TAL VAT FIL 1996.
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When Labour will be at the helm of this country, I presume that this policy will be refined and take necessary decisions. If problems arise, then there have to be adjustments always in favour of the consumer and businesses as well.
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Admit it AD, you were swamped by the plan and had to endorse it in its substance. If the price of other fuels increase there is no guarantee that gas would automatically increase by the same percentage. This depends on gas supply and gas exploration, which is continually increasing due to its cleanliness and emissions. I agree that theft from boreholes by large industrial users and commercial bottlers HAS to stop! The private sector knows how to run businesses and operations far better than the public sector will ever be able to. That is why the private sector must be involved within every aspect of the economy, including this sector.
