Labour committed to 10% renewable energy target

Labour will commit itself to reach Malta's renewable energy target to provide 10% of the energy supply from alternative sources, shadow environment minister Leo Brincat said today.

But Brincat said he was not declaring what Labour's position today is on energy.

"It would be irresponsible to pronounce our position on a Labour energy plan, especially since government has not yet made a national energy plan," Brincat said.

The MP said Labour would argue for the compatibility of sustainably decreasing utility bills, and increasing alternative energy production in its electoral manifesto.

"If a Labour government is elected tomorrow it has to make a stock-take of how realistically, with the current mix and other energy sources, we can reach the 10% target. We need to reach the 10%."

Brincat said today's current energy mix was the result of "an accounting exercise" but did not commit himself on whether Labour was keen on carbon-capture storage. "Just because Labour held discussions with [Danish firm] Sargas, doesn't necessarily mean we are going to ignore other sources of energy."

Brincat today said the government's draft policy on renewable energy had previously referred to solar farms as unattractive due to their large footprint and visual impact. Citing its preference for large offshore wind farms in 2009, the government later revealed it was studying the feasibility of a solar park in 2010.

"Today we still lack a national energy policy. In 2010, government committed itself to EU targets to produce 10% of our energy from renewable sources by 2010. It now seems its plan to produce this energy from wind sources is turning to solar energy.

"Labour has been in favour of solar energy since 2007, having proposed the concept of solar rights back in 2008. Does this feature in government's draft policy? Until today, nothing," Brincat said.

The MP said it was "clear" that Malta would not reach its targets, saying government had yet to reach its interim targets.

"Last year these targets weren't reached, and most probably the government will not deny failing to reach them this year. Having met private sector players to discuss how the market was faring, the feedback so far is that government has no clear energy plan."