‘PN is scaremongering to score political points’ – Mizzi on LNG terminal

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi has this evening lambasted the Nationalist Party for its criticism on the contentious Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage terminal, arguing that the PN's "scaremongering" is unfounded and only seeking to "score political points."

The proposed anchoring of an LNG terminal outside Marsaxlokk Bay has been heavily criticised by the Nationalist Party - most notably its MEP candidate Therese Comodini Cachia - who is insisting that 91% of the Birzebbugia and Marsaxlokk residents are against the terminal.  

Citing health and safety as its main bone of contention, the PN has accused the government of "prioritising politics over the health and safety of residents", and has argued that the LNG gas terminal is only seeking to make sure that the government delivers on its energy plan.

However, in response to the criticism leveled against the government, the energy minister pulled no punches and insisted that it was the Nationalist Party, rather than the government, which was seeking to gain political mileage through the contentious LNG terminal.

Speaking during a public consultation meeting at Birzebbugia, Minister Mizzi underlined that all precautions were being carried out and held that the proposed terminal poses no risk to the health and safety of the Marsaxlokk and Birzebbugia residents.

"The terminal will not pose a threat to the safety of residents, but conversely, the residents and the general public will benefit as the quality of air will improve while carbon dioxide emissions will be halved. Rest assured that the project would not be detrimental to the health of residents," Mizzi said.

The Labour Party's original plan was to store gas in gigantic tanks on land, but later discarded it due to "health and safety" issues and opted for the floating LNG terminal. The terminal will see a 215MW gas plant and liquefied natural gas storage terminal built by the Electrogas consortium at Delimara.

This in turn would be permanently anchored to a jetty outside the Marsaxlokk Bay.

While reiterating that the terminal poses "no threat", Mizzi nonetheless, argued that the LNG terminal could be replaced by a gas pipeline.

The public consultation meeting centred on the proposed LNG terminal and Labour's energy plan, and its main sponsor - Konrad Mizzi - insisted that the government would deliver on its promises.

"The government will deliver on its energy plan and will ensure that Malta has cleaner air and that it would be able to meet EU targets. Rest assured however that no shortcuts will be taken," Mizzi explained.

He also said that the proposed terminal would not hinder fisheries operations and that the government is committed to close down the Birzebbugia oil facility.

Turning his attention on the energy tariffs, the energy minister announced that households will benefit from the reductions from March 31.

"Domestic users will start to benefit from a 25% decrease in electricity and a 5% reduction in water tariffs," Mizzi said.

Moreover, the minister argued that the government is committed to implement tariffs for businesses.

On the recent smart-meter tampering ring and the government's subsequent decision to waive criminal proceedings against Enemalta account holders guilty of energy theft and corruption, Mizzi stood by the government's decision and explained that this was the "best" decision and that it is yielding the desired results.

Following the discovery of an electricity-meter tampering ring valued at approximately €30 million, Enemalta decided to waive criminal proceedings against the consumers as long as they come forward, pay their dues and penalties and provide information that helps "capture the masterminds" behind the criminal web.

"The government's plan to waive criminal proceedings is already paying dividends as more evidence is being uncovered to reveal the real masterminds behind the energy theft," Mizzi argued.

In a dig at the previous Nationalist administration, Mizzi explained that under a Labour government, Enemalta is no longer "debt ridden or littered with financial shortcomings."

Thanks to the government's work and its subsequent memorandum of understanding with [Chinese state-owned] Shanghai Electric Power, Enemalta's will become a profitable entity," Mizzi continued.