July 9, 2014
Malta

Money for turbines study may have gone with the wind

By Caroline Muscat | July 9, 2014 | www.timesofmalta.com

Hundreds of thousands of euros invested in assessing the viability of wind farms may have literally gone with the wind as the government seems increasingly reluctant to pursue the plan.

Since last month, Times of Malta has been chasing answers to questions sent to the Energy Ministry on how Malta intends to achieve its interim targets on renewable energy following the surprising announcement by Minister Konrad Mizzi that it is on track.

Malta’s performance on renewal energy so far has been abysmal. With only 1.4 per cent coming from renewable sources, the island remains firmly stuck at the bottom of the EU list for investment in renewable energy.

The Energy Ministry said: “Malta will reach the projected RES [renewable energy sources] share for 2014 by using PV [photovoltaics], solar thermal and biofuels.”

When pressed for the reason why wind energy no longer featured in plans, the ministry said that “the final decision on these wind farms will be taken once technical, environmental and feasibility studies are concluded”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/09/money-for-turbines-study-may-have-gone-with-the-wind/