Heavy Fuel Oil detrimental to environment and economy – AD

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party expressed its disappointment with MEPA's approval of the Delimara power station extension which will be powered with heavy fuel oil.

The MEPA board yesterday granted Enemalta an integrated pollution prevention control permit, which is valid for nine months to operate the Delimara extension. The extension now falls under a monitoring committee that will be chaired by MEPA and consisting of one representative from Enemalta and one from the affected local councils.

In the coming months Enemalta will be starting the engines in a process known as 'hot testing' which will be followed by a period of reliability and performance testing which in turn will give Enemalta to start generating electricity.

AD however said the decision reflected the government's lack of foresight, lack of planning and lack of an energy policy.

"The Government and MEPA have opted for dirty heavy fuel oil, putting it ahead of environmental considerations such as people's health," AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said.

"The Government has been aware of the fact that Marsa should be replaced at least since April 2003 and should have started the shift to gas back then. Malta is far off from meeting its 10% renewable energy target and in this case the government should pull its socks up and consider various options."

Economist Gordon Cordina and auditors KPMG yesterday told the MEPA board hearing that operating Delimara on HFO was far cheaper than gasoil.

"Alternattiva Demokratika believes that Malta should shift to gas - as a transitional energy - as early as possible, and should progressively increase its investment in clean renewable energy such as solar and wind, which are the best options for Malta, to reach the 10% target committed with the EU by 2020, and for further increases after that," Briguglio said.

"It is true that gas is a fossil fuel, meaning that it is finite and expected to increase in cost, like coal and oil. But at least, it is much less polluting than other fossil fuels, even if more expensive. Yet the environmental impact of heavy fuel oil will ultimately be detrimental to Malta's economy, too."

Briguglio also reiterated that Malta should definitely not consider dirty fuel technologies such as carbon capture storage being proposed by the energy firm Sargas.

"The reality is that renewable energy has become competitive when compared to more traditional and dirty energy sources," secretary-general Ralph Cassar said.

"It has the added benefit of being a totally locally generated energy source, free from the influence of external markets. Indeed, the International Energy Agency has said that renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost competitive, whilst having clear environmental and energy security benefits.

"Malta has lost ground and we are in today's situation because of the lack of long term planning in the energy sector by government. Keeping heavy fuel oil as the fuel of choice means that government is looking to the past instead of moving on to the future."

In a statement, Enemalta said the new plant was in full conformity with EU air quality standards and will now be able to finally decomission the four oldest and most polluting boilers at the Marsa Power Station.

In the new Delimara extension, Enemalta will be using fuel oil which has a sulphur content of 0.7%.

"The Delimara extension will have unprecendented abatement technologies which will capture nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and dust particles from being discharged through the chimneys.

"All neccessary measures are being taken to reduce and capture these emissions ensuring the plant produces eletrcitiy with the lowest possible cost and with the least impact on the environment. "Furthermore, if the Delimara extension does not meet the emission limits requested, Enemalta will oblige the contractor to take whatever corrective action necessary at the contractor's expense to bring the plant into conformity."

Waste from the Delimara power station will be collected and stored into specially designed silos until it is ready to be transported to the Freeport via an establisshed route which will minimise any impact on traffic. The tender for the collection, exportation and disposal in an accredited site has also been adjudicated today. Enemalta will also be carrying a feasability study on an alternative route using the sea.