Enterprises supported to reduce energy and water consumption through new assessment scheme  

A new scheme aimed at helping enterprises identify practical ways to reduce their energy and water consumption, lower operating costs and improve competitiveness, has been launched. The Energy Performance Assessment for Enterprises Scheme was launched during an event addressed by Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, who highlighted the importance of supporting businesses in becoming more efficient, resilient and sustainable. “Energy Performance Assessments are one of the smartest investments a business can make. Through this scheme, we are providing enterprises with the practical support and expertise they need to better understand their energy use, reduce operating costs and become more competitive,” said Minister Dalli. She added that the initiative forms part of Malta’s wider transition towards a climate-neutral economy and supports the ambitions of Malta Vision 2050. “By helping businesses improve their energy and water performance, we are strengthening Malta’s competitiveness while building a cleaner and more sustainable future,” Minister Dalli said. The scheme offers two streams, tailored for enterprises with different levels of energy consumption. Low energy consuming enterprises may benefit from a free Energy Performance Assessment, including on-site visits, tailored recommendations and expert guidance. Medium energy consuming enterprises may receive financial assistance to carry out an assessment, helping them identify practical opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption. Chief Executive Officer of the Energy & Water Agency, Inġ. Sandro Lauri, said the scheme reflects the Agency’s commitment to helping enterprises make informed decisions on energy and water efficiency. “By providing tailored assessments and expert guidance, we are enabling businesses to move from identifying opportunities to implementing meaningful improvements. This will help them reduce consumption, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their long-term resilience,” said Inġ. Lauri. The launch brought together representatives from government, industry, academia and the energy auditing community. The programme included a presentation on the LEAPto11 project, a session on the standardisation of energy assessments, and a panel discussion titled “Energy Audits: What Have We Learnt and Where Are We Heading? – Challenges and Best Practices”. The panel featured representatives from the University of Malta, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, industry experts and the Malta Chamber of SMEs, who discussed current challenges, best practices and future opportunities in energy performance, water performance and energy auditing. The Energy Performance Assessment for Enterprises Scheme is open to enterprises registered with the Malta Business Registry and self-employed individuals with a valid VAT number. Applications are now open. Further information, including eligibility criteria and application details, is available on the Energy & Water Agency’s website.