Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated a net zero carbon facility of the Water Services Corporation (WSC), which has successfully completed an ambitious project of a main warehouse, net zero carbon, in Bulebel. With a total capital investment of €7.2 million, the WSC now has at its disposal innovative technologies that will enhance its operational efficiency and enable the corporation to achieve higher levels of sustainability.
The warehouse has a total footprint of 2,000 square meters, designed to house inventory valued at approximately €9 million, encompassing 920 unique stock-keeping units (SKUs). A hallmark of this new facility is its net zero energy design. Leveraging a cutting-edge photovoltaic (PV) system, the warehouse will generate 430,000 kWh of renewable energy annually. This energy output is sufficient to offset the facility’s operational energy consumption, ensuring that the building operates with a zero carbon footprint.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Robert Abela described the project as a significant milestone in enhancing energy efficiency and raising building and construction standards in Malta. He remarked that through such initiatives, the country is meeting today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and turning them into opportunities.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that the project is in line with the Malta 2050 vision, a vision that fully embraces sustainability as a cornerstone of national development, aimed at securing a greener future for generations to come. He also reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to implement the necessary reforms to continue enhancing the quality of life. He said that the Government will be at the forefront in leading by example in implementing environmental initiatives.
Prior to the Prime Minister’s address, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli described the net zero warehouse as a project that shows a government leading by example; a strong example that let us spur other industries and the private sector to invest in sustainable practices as well. “The investments the Water Services Corporation is making prove that sustainability and efficiency are two sides of the same coin. Sustainability is not a slogan; it is the path forward we have chosen to follow, the conscious choice we make each and every day”, Minister Dalli said.
Chief of Executive of the Water Services Corporation Karl Cilia said that this new facility represents more than an investment in infrastructure, it’s an investment in efficiency, sustainability, and service excellence. “By consolidating our operations and generating clean energy onsite, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but also delivering smarter, more resilient water services to the people of Malta”, Karl Cilia said.
George Vella, Partner at Grant Thornton Malta, the external auditors of the Water Services Corporation, said that the net zero warehouse is a tangible example of how public investment, strategic planning, and sustainability can come together to deliver long-term value. “This project, partly funded through WSC’s €25 million Green Bond, shows how targeted financing can directly support impactful infrastructure. Just as important is the Corporation’s commitment to transparency, with a real-time public portal now in place, WSC is setting a new standard in showing where and how funds are being invested”, Vella said.
