The availability of sufficient energy is a fundamental human right and it is an experience of the 21st century that the established systems of energy supply, mainly based on fossil and nuclear energy, are not in a position to provide this human right to everybody. Prices for conventional energies are increasing in the course of their depletion, while renewable energy is steadily getting cheaper due to its continual improvement and economies of scale. Today and in the future, the costs of renewables enable a sustainable, cheap and sufficient energy supply for everybody. Any further postponing is irresponsible. There are economic reasons, ecological reasons and the question of peace that speak in favour of renewable energy.

According to current EU directives, Malta needs to increase its sources of renewable energy, and in line with the Kyoto Protocol, we are meant to have a minimum of five per cent renewable energy by 2012. Here are some of the main forms of renewable energy that need to be encouraged and integrated into our way of life.

Wind energy has been the most rapidly growing means of electricity generation at the turn of the 21st century. The government is now planning to set up offshore wind farms in a bid to reduce Malta's dependency on oil for electricity generation. If this plan is indeed carried through, it will be a positive move in the right direction as this type of energy is economically feasible, eco friendly and aesthetically appropriate for our islands. Malta has an average of 300 windy days per year, meaning that this resource should be tapped for sustainable development.

Few power-generation technologies have as little impact on the environment as solar-powered technologies. Because the energy source is free and abundant, photovoltaic systems can provide guaranteed access to electrical power. Some years ago, students from James Madison University, Virginia, US, came to Malta to work on different projects of interest to the Institute for Energy Technology. One of the projects conducted was that of the economic viability of building rooftop solar photovoltaic grid-connected systems in Malta. The results obtained indicated that solar electric systems are a viable energy supplement, and by building systems today, the knowledge and experience gained from their operation can be applied to improve future use.

Malta has one of the highest vehicle-to-population ratios in the world and the high concentration of fossil fuel-powered autos in such a small area has harmed the environment and the health of the Maltese people. Several steps can be taken to reduce vehicle emissions including improving the engine, doing post-combustion clean up, or using alternative fuels.

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, which can be used in modern diesel vehicles with little or no modification to the engine and is obtained from waste and virgin vegetable and animal oil and fats.

A major benefit of biodiesel is lower emissions, helping to improve the quality of our air and reducing our contribution to global warming.

Locally, Edible Oil Refining Co. Ltd began producing biodiesel in 2002. They pick up oil from catering outlets and hotels at no cost and provide one litre free oil for every 25 litres of donated used cooking oil to their customers. By 2005, biodiesel was available commercially and the company now has 3,000 clients. With an output capacity of 15 million litres, there is still scope for more sales of this eco-friendly product. The government has supported biodiesel by waiving all tax or excise duty. The current price of 100 per cent biodiesel is 33c a litre when the price for fossil diesel is 43c. The price difference alone, as well as better engine performance, should serve as incentives for fossil diesel users to switch to biodiesel.

The cost of renewable energy technology has been shown to fall with increased investment, and is very likely to drop below fossil fuel costs in the very near future. It makes sense to adopt different forms of renewable energy both from an environmental as well as an economic point of view. In fact, one of the main themes that Gaiafest 2006 wishes to address this year is the promotion of renewable energy in the Maltese islands and the world today.

After last year's launch and wide-ranging participation, the Gaia Foundation will be holding their next Festival of Holistic Living, Gaiafest 2006, at the Elysium Visitor Centre, in Ghajn Tuffieha this weekend.

Set up in 1994 to protect Malta's environment and promote sustainable living, the Gaia Foundation has broadened its vision from the initial focus on "integrated management of specific coastal zone areas" to encompass eight different projects.

One of these is Project Helios, which seeks to promote the development and use of clean and renewable energy through solar and wind technology, among others.

Gaiafest 2006 will be held between today and Sunday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the ticket price is Lm1.50 for all three nights.

www.gaiafest.org.