EU studying GRTU's complaint

The directorate general responsible for transport and energy within the European Commission is studying the complaint sent by the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise, GRTU which accused the government of failing to comply with the EU's Energy Directive.

Sources close to the Commission yesterday told The Times that the case was being studied in detail and a reply would be sent to the GRTU as soon as the matter had been looked into.

In the course of the investigation the Commission might also ask the Maltese authorities for additional information and explanations.

Earlier this week the GRTU wrote an official letter to the Commission saying it was not satisfied that the rights of SMEs were being protected under the Energy Directive. It requested a "cease and desist order" against the imposition of new electricity tariffs and any other energy charges until the authorities abide fully by their "responsibilities" under EU directives.

The GRTU expressed concern that the government was supporting a cross-subsidisation tariff policy on electricity and fuels to the detriment of SMEs while failing to implement EU directives to the advantage of SMEs.

It also expressed concern at the lack of transparency exercised by Enemalta in the formulation of the proposed new electricity tariffs and its fuel purchasing policies and said it deeply regretted that the Malta Resources Authority appeared to have "abdicated" its responsibilities.

Commission sources said that as the EU's investigation had just started they were not in a position to comment further on the GRTU's complaints.

They added that the letter was officially received by Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs very recently because the GRTU had mistakenly sent the original letter to the wrong commissioner.