AD dismisses Government's alternative energy efforts

Ralph Cassar, the Alternattiva Demokratika spokesman on energy and the environment, said that Enemalta's intention to install a wind turbine at Marfa which will supply enough electricity for a household of four was better than nothing.

But blowing trumpets over such a minuscule effort was insulting the Maltese people's intelligence. Studies carried out by University of Malta academics have shown that even medium-sized wind turbines at places like Marfa can provide much more electricity.

"Providing electricity for 4,000 households would have been a good start and show a serious commitment to renewable and clean energy.

A micro-turbine providing enough electricity for the needs of four people by the state-owned, and only, electricity company to celebrate its 30 years of existence shows that the government and Enemalta are not taking alternative energy seriously. This, despite Malta being heavily criticised by the European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs for relying solely on fuel, Mr Cassar said.

Meanwhile, AD chairman Harry Vassallo branded the installation of PV panels on Enemalta's offices as a media stunt.

Enemalta is providing another token or symbolic set of PV panels as have been placed on a tiny fraction of the roof space of government properties. It wants to claim to have done something when it is clear that promoting PV panels takes more effort than this, he said.