Fenech – BWSC contract is €183 million

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that the value of the power station extension for Delimara was €183 million, denying claims by Labour leader Joseph Muscat that the project will cost €290 million.

The Labour leader was referring to a loan facility of €290 million that the government had obtained from the European Investment Bank.

Fenech said the value of the contract, awarded to Danish firm BWSC, was €165 million, while the service contract for five years ran to €18 million.

“Muscat is probably referring to the total expenditure for the projects that are going to be financed by the EIB, which include the power station extension, the smart meters, and the nationwide distribution centres,” Fenech said.

The minister said the government was intent on investing in the energy infrastructure to “attract more investment and create more employment.”

“The Opposition has also misinterpreted the conclusions of the Auditor General in the award of the extension’s contract, claiming the Auditor has condemned this process. Indeed, the Auditor found no corruption or irregularity, and his reccomendations have been welcomed by the government,” Fenech said.