NGO calls for risk analysis on new power station before location is decided

The Risk Analysis for Delimara power station must be completed before the development is granted, Heritage NGO ‘Din l-Art Ħelwa’ said in a statement.

The NGO was referring to comments by Enemalta reported in the press, which indicated that the Risk Analysis would be completed after the environmental permit phase, which would see the development permit already granted.

Din l-Art Helwa underlined that since some of the major risks are linked to the location of the plant, in particular the gas storage unit, the Risk Analysis should be published before the location is decided. They said the environmental permit will focus on the operational aspects of the unit, and not its location.

“The more contentious aspects of the development permit, such as the Risk Analysis, are being left incomplete and will only be presented after the development permit is already granted. It will be too late to change the location of the gas storage and re-gasification units,” the NGO said.

They stated that already when the Delimara power station extension was granted in 2011, the local councils of the area and others had disagreed with the fact that the planning permit of this major project was granted well before the environmental permit was decided. “Such repetition should not take place,” Din l-Art Ħelwa noted.

As the environmental permit for the new power station is already being drafted, Din l-Art Helwa maintains that the development permit and the environmental permit studies should be completed and assessed together, to ensure that a holistic and well-informed decision is taken on this project of major national importance.

“A complete assessment of risks to health and safety of the proposed gas storage in Marsaxlokk bay must be presented before any decisions are taken,” they concluded.