Energy debate on Chinese deal postponed at Opposition’s request

A parliamentary debate on the recently signed deal between Enemalta and Shanghai Electric Power has been postponed.

The government said that the parliamentary debate on the deal that had originally been planned for Wednesday has been postponed at the Opposition’s request, due to the fact that their leader Simon Busuttil would be abroad on that date.

“We believe that this deal is the largest foreign investment that Malta has ever seen, and it is therefore crucial for it to be discussed in Parliament,” the government said in a statement. “We therefore accepted the Opposition’s request to postpone the debate to a day that is convenient for its leader.”

“This deal will save Enemalta from the precarious situation it had been left and will place the energy sector on a solid platform, creating new opportunities for the benefit of the economy. We therefore believe that Parliament should discuss this strategic investment as soon as possible.”

The final agreement between Enemalta and SEP was signed last week and will see the Chinese state-owned firm become the operator of the Delimara power station extension – the BWSC plant – following a €320 million capital injection.

The deal will see €250 million coming in this year: €100 million which will be injected directly into Enemalta and €150 million for the Delimara 3 plant (BWSC plant). €70 million will be invested next year for the conversion of the plant to gas.