A National Energy Efficiency Action Plan will shortly be approved by Cabinet, Ninu Zammit, the Minister for Resources and Infrastructure, announced on Friday.

Addressing the National Information Day for Malta of the European Commission's Intelligent Energy Europe project, the minister said: "The Action Plan reflects Malta's participation in the commitments made by the EU's Spring Council this March under its energy and climate change package and will serve to reduce our carbon footprint."

An independent agency is also being established (by the Sir Temi Zammit Foundation) with EU funding to play a key role in raising public awareness and promoting implementation of the new policies. However, Mr Zammit emphasised that numerous initiatives had already been taken by government to promote energy efficiency and renewable energies.

New measures foreseen in the forthcoming Action Plan included further reductions in the electricity consumption of the seawater desalination plants, boosting energy efficiency in buildings through a certification system, green procurement by the public sector, support schemes for energy efficiency in industry, small enterprises, retail outlets and offices, as well as a range of financial incentives to householders.

"The government will also study the potential of centralised combined heat and power systems, in particular for large industrial and tourist complexes," the minister continued.

An energy fund was being contemplated along with increased research into energy-saving measures - energy being one of the five priorities of the National Strategic Plan on Research and Innovation 2007-2010. Other measures related to improved street lighting, enhanced public transport use and cycling, 'telecommuting' and further promotion of electric vehicles.

Small-scale solar thermal cooling technologies to replace current air-conditioning units offered a major potential while Enemalta was visualising the use of biofuels for electricity generation.

"The German consultancy firm Lahmeyer Int. is assessing the proposed electricity cable connection to Sicily," Mr Zammit added, "which could also transport power from Malta generated by offshore wind farms should future studies to be commissioned advise their installation. "

Lahmeyer was also looking into the use of natural and liquefied gas as replacements for the present fuel oil/gas oil mix used in the two power stations.

Architect Dr Vincent Buhagiar, from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Malta (he is also vice-president of the Malta Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies Association NGO), said that energy efficiency in industry - manufacturing, construction and quarrying - had declined by 57 per cent between 2000 and 2004. In contrast, efficiency had slightly improved in both households and the transport sector; but overall Malta had fallen behind the EU average performance.

Dr Buhagiar is the local expert in the Odyssee-Mure (EU-27) project aimed to monitor energy efficiency progress, analyse energy demand trends, and compare country performances and benchmark values.

Patrick Lambert, director of the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), informed the seminar that the Commission was developing draft directives on energy efficiency and renewable energies for adoption by the European Council to implement related components of the energy and climate change package.

The EU's first executive agency, EACI, manages the Intelligent Energy Project, which preceded its establishment. IEE's core activities included over 350 ongoing projects in the 27 EU member states.

Mr Lambert gave detailed explanations on how to apply for project funding and, should the application be turned down, how to adjust the proposal and reapply. This was particularly relevant to Malta, since three of four project proposals made last year had been rejected by IEE evaluators.

All projects should not only involve participation of a minimum of three organisations (public or private) from different countries and be geared to generating results of general interest and be coherent with IEE's overall multi-year work programme.

Due its small size and Mediterranean location, Malta could be a 'test bed' or 'leading light' for innovative approaches to energy saving and renewable energy use, Mr Lambert said.

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