Michael Falzon, Labour Deputy Leader claims that “the technology used in the power plant is outdated. The diesel engines can be easily converted to operate on natural gas and even with the cost of this conversion; the operating cost is lower than that of the other plants which bid.”
Prof. Edward Mallia commented in news daily: This is certainly not a step forward and cannot be described as progressive. One is going to have to deal with around 40 to 45 tonnes a day of waste, part of which will involve the removal of sulphur dioxide. It is an illusion to think there can be any fire without smoke… our old plant emits these particles in the atmosphere with every unit of electricity we consume. The new plant is designed to capture it and store it.
The current power plant has in the past operated without using filters. Government too on its part had not published data of emissions, which the EU is aware of. Due to the rise in cancer incidence in the south of Malta, The Marsaxlokk council had requested the government to publish data on behalf of the residents.
Prof. Mallia added: Since we joined the EU, we were supposed to constantly monitor emissions. This has not been done. Now, the filters being mentioned will be installed on the new chimneys, not the old one. So the existing problem will remain.
Din L-Art Helwa and Nature Trust reminded the Malta government its obligation to cut emissions by 10% by 2020, saying new investments in energy technology should aim to decrease emissions.
The government countered that Malta’s commitment to maintain air quality was a legal obligation and it will achieve this through an energy mix.
