Stop relying on oil, EU commissioner tells Malta

It's in Malta's interest to stop relying completely on oil to fuel its energy requirements, the European Energy Commissioner warned, as he wondered why a sun-baked island is not making use of such a primary source of energy.

Amid rising oil prices, the government and the people should also start seriously probing the use of wind energies, Andris Piebalgs said yesterday.

The Latvian European commissioner was speaking to reporters at the end of a flying visit where he laid out the EU's ambitious plans in this sector and held talks with the government.

"You have the best possibilities to use the sun. There are less sunny places in Europe that are increasingly tapping such an energy source," he said.

The issue with wind energy is public acceptance, the commissioner said, adding that despite its unique characteristics, he believed Malta could still exploit the use of such means.

In the meantime, oil prices will one day go into triple digits and the commodity will get scarcer, so Malta's only opportunity is to interconnect with the European grid, Mr Piebalgs said, re-affirming the EU's willingness to financially assist Malta's plans.

Enemalta intends to connect Malta by grid to Sicily by 2012 to ensure there is enough electricity to meet demand and to transform the source of electricity generation from fuel oil to gas.

The commissioner urged Malta to stop underestimating its potential in renewable energies. Energy efficiency is the best means to fight climate change and address the security of supplies.

Despite its limitations, Malta can still contribute.

"It would be very easy for the government to argue that Malta is a small and isolated island, but it is still prepared to contribute. I also needed to convince Malta that it had an opportunity. It's not burden-sharing - it is necessary for the Maltese people," Mr Piebalgs said.

EU leaders last month agreed to implement a new energy plan in which member states are obliged to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and to have a good percentage of their energy supply derived from renewable resources by 2020.

Though the EU's overall target is a 20 per cent cap, member states will have different individual targets according to their specific circumstances.

Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said the government had introduced incentives to encourage the use of solar, photovoltaic and other forms of renewable energy. It was also exploring the feasibility of constructing offshore wind farms that could make a major contribution to the electricity demand.

During a public discussion at St James Cavalier, in Valletta, earlier in the day, Mr Piebalgs emphasised the need to cut down on energy. Despite its size, Malta could also contribute and its support to the European plan was as essential as Germany's.

Chipping in to the debate, hydrologist Marco Cremona said it was ironic that the government was arguing against the aesthetics of wind farms when the island had already been ruined by high-rise buildings.