New Delimara gas plant: direct order for architectural firm

An architectural firm has already presented plans for the new gas terminal and plant at Delimara, yet no tender has been issued to choose that or any other firm.

The plans were submitted last week by Malta Power and Gas Ltd, a company set up by the government to apply for permits before a successful bidder is chosen.

Last week, plans for a combined cycle gas turbine, liquefied natural gas storage and regasification facilities and a 7,300 square metre jetty were presented to MEPA by architect Peter Zammit, who forms part of Innovative Architectural Structures Ltd (iAS).

The firm was chosen on the merit of "its capabilities and expertise", a spokesperson for Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi told MaltaToday.

IAS is a multidisciplinary firm specialising in project management, architectural design and structural design, and is owned by architects Peter Zammit and Stephen Grech.

The government spokesperson explained that iAS is supporting Enemalta in aspects associated with "pre-development".

The ministry would not reveal how much the firm is being paid.

Architect Peter Zammit - a MEPA board member under the previous administration - designed the plans presented to MEPA.

Past clients of iAS include the US Embassy, Lufthansa Technik, Pender Ville Ltd, the Golden Sands Hal Ferh complex and Oil Tanking Co.

This is the second direct order awarded by the government in relation to the new power infrastructure.

Planning consultants ERSLI were chosen to coordinate the Environmental Impact Assessment for the new power station in the absence of a public tender. Instead of issuing one, the government sought a number of quotations, which were subsequently evaluated, a spokesperson for Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi told MaltaToday in June. ERSLI is owned by architects Paul Gauci and Charles Gauci.

The cost of the 7,300 square metre jetty, which is being proposed to create a safe distance between LNG ships and storage facilities, would be absorbed entirely by the private company chosen to complete the project and not by the government.

But no estimates were provided regarding the cost of the enormous jetty. Plans presented by the Labour Party before the general election did not make any reference to the construction of a jetty nor to the offshore storage of gas on a vessel berthed at the jetty. For his part, former PN energy minister Tonio Fenech criticised Labour for omitting any reference to the need for building a long jetty, which he claimed would cost around €50 million.

If an offshore terminal is selected, the 180,000 cubic metre vessel will be moored at the jetty.  Currently three options are being considered: locating both the storage tanks and regasification plant on land, locating the storage of LNG on a permanently berthed vessel with the regasification plant on one of two alternative sites and, lastly, a full-fledged fuel regasification and storage unit (FRSU), which would eliminate the need for land-based infrastructure. According to a Project Development Statement, such a ship could include upon its upper deck the equipment required for the regasification of LNG. Gas would be stored in tanks incorporated in the hull of the ship.