Updated | MEPA to issue penalties to Enemalta for Marsa Power Station

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority will fine national energy corporation Enemalta after three of the four energy-generating plants at the Marsa power station exceeded their allocated 20,000 hours.

The old power station was allocated the 20,000 hours of operation starting from 1 January 2008, because the station is subject to the 'limited lifetime' derogation under the EU's Large Combustion Plants Directive, which allowed Marsa to operate at higher emission limits for a limited period of time.

A board meeting held yesterday resulted in the Malta Environment and Planning Authority deciding to apply penalties on Enemalta for this infringement.

The calculation of the penalties will be based on a method which enables the seriousness and duration of the offence to be taken into account in the calculation of such penalties. The exact amounts of the penalties will be determined in the coming weeks.

The Board also noted that the coming into operation of the Delimara Power Station Extension by June 2012 is expected to result in half of the Marsa Power Station being taken out of service, while the output from the remaining two plants of the Marsa Power Station is expected to be progressively reduced prior to being fully taken out of service when the submarine Interconnector, which will connect Malta to the European electricity network, comes into operation.

The environmental planning statement for the Interconnector project has just been issued for public consultation.

In a reaction, Enemalta said it was committed towards ensuring a stable supply of electricity whilst respecting the country's environmental obligations.

"We have embarked on three major initiatives, namely the commissioning of a new extension of the Delimara power station, the interconnector to the European grid, and decommissioning of Marsa's power station," an Enemalta spokesperson said.

The 144MW extension of the Delimara Power station has now been fully constructed and is undergoing testing. This plant's extension will be in compliance with the integrated pollution prevention contol directive and will increase the energy generating capacity of the Delimara power station by 50%. The €165 million project will be in full service by June 2012.

Enemalta has also commenced the process to install a €200 submarine interconnector, which will connect Malta to the European electricity grid.  Currently the design of the interconnector and shore-stations have been finalised and manufacturing of the component parts for the terminal plant on shore has commenced. The project will be completed by October 2013.

The operation of the Delimara Power Station extension by June 2012 will result in the closure of half of the Marsa Power Station. The output of the remaining half will be progressively reduced and shut down completely by October 2013.

"In the meantime Enemalta has taken mitigating measures to reduce emissions from Marsa Power station. This includes the use of higher quality fuel containing lower sulphur and lower ash levels and modifications to the boiler combustion system to reduce both nitrogen oxide and dust levels.

"This demonstrates that Enemalta has taken serious action and is continuing to take action to ensure a stable supply of electricity while ensuring that environmental concerns are respected," the Enemalta spokesperson said.