In a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD), social partners along with Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul, and Chairman David Xuereb, discussed government’s wide-ranging vision for the energy sector.
In presentations by engineers Ryan Fava, Ismail D’Amato and Marjohn Abela; the CEOs of Enemalta, Interconnect Malta (ICM) and the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) respectively, ongoing investments in the energy distribution network were explained, as well as the schemes and measures to incentivise and increase the use of renewable energy by households and businesses. They also discussed the process for Malta to invest in offshore renewable energy systems.
The social partners were given a more detailed view of how sustainability in the energy sector is being strengthened through plans and investments aimed at reducing the gap between energy generated from traditional sources and that from solar and wind. They also heard how the use of battery technology as an emerging solution is making renewable energy investments more viable.
Minister Miriam Dalli reminded attendees that the government’s energy policy is built on five key pillars: sustainability, energy supply security, diversification of energy sources, affordability, and keeping the consumer at the centre.
“Regarding distribution, in the past few months, we have worked extensively. In just a few months, we completed 82km of cable installations. This investment will continue in the second phase. On the renewable energy side, in recent years REWS has launched several schemes that have led to direct investment,” explained Minister Dalli.
Regarding offshore projects, Minister Dalli noted that while these technologies come at a higher cost, they support a cleaner, non-polluting economy.
Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul continued in his speech by saying: “Today’s MCESD meeting confirms the policy by which this Government is operating, and as a politician responsible for social dialogue, what I want to see is that we, as a government, continue to go before social partners and provide an account of the work being done. In this way, we are recognizing the work that civil service workers and all public sector workers are doing behind the scenes for the benefit of this country.”
The Chairperson of the MCESD, Perit David Xuereb, highlighted that during this fourth MCESD meeting focusing on the energy distribution in Malta, the social partners discussed the challenges of energy generation, renewable energy, and the country’s interconnection with Europe. During this meeting the social partners reviewed the current situation and considered the steps Malta should take to strengthen its electricity infrastructure in both Malta and Gozo. He also pointed out that the improved coordination between entities such as Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta, is already showing positive results, as noted by Minister Dalli. The MCESD Council further acknowledged the ongoing efforts to reinforce the country’s power distribution network.
The meeting was held at the St. Andrew’s Distribution Centre in Pembroke, one of the centres that will see future investments to increase its capacity through the installation of an additional transformer.
