‘We haven’t closed the door on Sargas, but interconnector is soundest solution’ – PM

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi reiterated the Nationalist and Labour Parties are worlds apart and when it comes to decision-making, government is not "presumptuous".

"It is clear that Joseph Muscat's famous argument of reducing utility bills revolves around Sargas. Government's door will always be open for new proposals, but we are not as presumptuous as to accept the first offer that comes knocking on our door," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking during an interview aired on Radio 101, Gonzi said he would always refer all proposals to technical persons who understood the subject.

"But if the Sargas plant is the miracle solution to the rising cost of utility bills, why have other governments not implemented it? Why would other countries look into nuclear energy?"

Gonzi said Malta needed long-term solutions, and move away from depending on factors which by time could increase in cost. He said, the Sargas plant operated on a mixture of coal - which already reminded him of the past - and olive pits.

"What do we do then if the price of olive pits explodes? Malta needs long-term solutions: shutting down the Marsa power station and supply energy from the interconnector and the Delimara turbines."

He added the gas cable means Malta no longer needed more than one power station, as electricity would be directly bought from abroad depending on which country offered the best price.

Gonzi said the next step is to convert the Delimara power station to gas. Government has already approached the European Union to ask for help in the funding of the gas pipeline, he said.