Popular call for alternative sources of energy

Global warming may not have pushed people to seek greener alternatives, but the surcharge hike has sent people scurrying to switch off unneeded lights and live frugally.

The surcharge, which has practically doubled to 95 per cent, reflects global realities as the price of crude oil soared to a record high of $143 a barrel (€90).

The surcharge may be a measure that is hard to stomach but the international demand for crude oil is a situation people on the streets understand.

A vox pop in Valletta yesterday showed people were genuinely concerned with the global food and fuel crises, which was forcing some to reconsider their way of life. The main message to the authorities was the urgency to introduce alternative energy sources, which would help keep the bills down.

Marianne Brown, 53, from Gżira, is worried about the dire global forecasts and believes the government should step up its subsidies on solar energy.

Mrs Brown, whose household includes two children and a grandson, admits bills and the cost of everyday necessities were so high she was postponing her trip to Lourdes this year.

"I do try to economise by reducing the washing machine thermostat and not using the dishwasher as much. I also don't use the air conditioner to warm up the house in winter and instead use a gas heater. But there are certain necessities we cannot cope without, such as keeping our bedrooms cool from the stifling heat at night," she said.

Theresa Cassar, 72, from Valletta, is also very concerned with the global turmoil and Malta's reliance on crude oil. As a single person she finds it easier to keep the bills down but she will still feel the pinch.

Introducing certain lifestyle changes with two young boys is not easy for Marianne Attard, 47, from Santa Venera, and she points out that sleeping with an air conditioner on all night was no longer a luxury in summer.

"It's impossible to sleep in this heat. We are trying not to have three television sets on at the same time... Alternative energy sources would be welcome," she said.

Carmen Vella, 62, from Birkirkara, said her family has started switching off the computer whenever it was not in use and she was trying to drive the message home not to leave any appliances on stand-by.

"The situation does not augur well because so much in Malta depends on fuel and this is going to have a ripple effect on the consumer," she said.

Stephen Mangion, 39, from Msida, is also worried the impact the rise on fuel will have on the whole economy and stressed the importance of alternative energy.

"Apart from the surcharge there are other costs we'll all be facing. For example, I'm sure school vans will soon be demanding higher fees. The international situation is what it is and I guess we all have to learn to live with it," he said.

Carmelo Vella, 63, from Paola, is not yet equipped to face the situation: "I'm a pensioner and the surcharge is going to crush me... Maybe I'll find a part-time job."

Mario Spiteri, 52, from Sliema, is a father of four and he is bracing himself for the day when he has to face the bill with the revised surcharge. He called on the authorities to launch their plans for alternative energy before the situation got any worse.

"I'm chasing the kids to switch off the lights when they leave the room and turn off the computer if not in use. But the air conditioner is the only thing that brings relief on clammy summer nights with no breeze," he said.

Some people are worse off. Carmen Caruana, a 50-year-old widow from Paola, already leads a frugal life - she has no air conditioner or flashy energy-sucking appliances and her bill still surpassed €200.

Trade talk

The government's decision to raise the surcharge to 95 per cent to reflect the hike in global fuel prices has led to numerous reactions from all sides. This is what they had to say.

The Malta Labour Party

The government's decision to raise the surcharge confirmed that the Nationalists see the energy problem simply as "another accounting exercise", Labour leader Joseph Muscat said.

"It is clear the government's decision will affect shops, especially the smaller ones, because this increase follows another rise in fuel prices," he said.

The surcharge will also affect those families with medium or low incomes.

Dr Muscat also complained about the government's failure to consult other social partners, forging ahead with this decision "alone".

The Federation of Industry

The federation deplored the fact that social partners were not consulted on this issue of national importance, which strongly affected its members.

The revised surcharge will affect industry directly and indirectly, and lead to increases in transport and material costs, supporting services and potential labour demands.

This was expected to have a significant impact on all the sectors, with thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises suffering the harshest blow.

"Concerned members said they were still recovering from the increased operating costs triggered by the tightening of operating standards following Malta's EU accession, leading to a decline in profits and profitability. This increased burden will be difficult to absorb entirely by the companies themselves and could only lead to price increases or scale-down of operations," it said.

Other members remarked that, due to long-term contractual arrangements, the increase in surcharge will negatively impact their finances as they could not pass on the increased costs to their clients.

The federation stressed the importance of renewable energy. It would like to see a concrete short-term mitigating action plan as well as a long-term renewable investment plan to reduce the dependency on oil.

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU

The GRTU believes the surcharge should never have been imposed at such a high rate, adding that this was not the rate discussed during the last meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

A GRTU delegation yesterday met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech to discuss the increase in diesel prices and the surcharge on electricity and water.

It presented the Prime Minister with a report on the economic and social impact these price hikes would have at a time when inflation hovered at 4.2 per cent.

It insisted that the excise duty on diesel should have been reduced.

"The weight of the surcharge means an increase of at least two per cent in the price of all products sold from fridges and freezers."

The GRTU will be holding a meeting for representatives of all commercial sections to analyse the impact of the diesel price hike and the surcharge in detail.

The General Workers' Union

The GWU yesterday called an urgent meeting of the MCESD to discuss the "strong negative impact" of the rise in the surcharge. It condemned the lack of consultation with other related bodies on the surcharge and said the government could not shoulder families with such burdens.

The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin

The UĦM expressed its concern at the rise in the electricity and water surcharge, which, coupled with the global food crises, would create difficulties for workers, pensioners and families.

Although the union understood that international fuel prices had skyrocketed, the government should do all it could to minimise the consequences.

"The UĦM would like to ascertain that those in need are given maximum attention during this difficult time and expects wider consultation between the social partners."

The Malta Union of Teachers

The union's council expressed its "serious" concern at the rise in the surcharge. This would have a negative effect on the quality of life, especially that of workers and pensioners. In addition, salaries and pensions in Malta were among the lowest in the EU. The council questioned whether the necessary consultations took place prior to announcing this increase.

Some energy-saving tips

• Close drapes, blinds and shades in the hottest part of the day.

• Use ceiling and portable fans to keep air moving. Ceiling fans can make a room feel two degrees cooler.

• Cable boxes, television sets, phone chargers and iPod charging stations all draw power, even when not charging a device and even when they are in sleep mode. These devices can add as much as 10 per cent to your power bill.

• Turn your computer and monitor off. Screen saver modes save no power. Sleep modes continue to draw electricity. With most computers, powering your computer on and off does not wear it out. There is more wear and tear on electronics from heat stress of constantly running.

• Change to compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about a third of the energy of normal lighting.

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.

• Lower the temperature of your winter heater or at least switch it off during the day in summer.

• Make the most of summer and barbecue your food. It's fun and an energy-saving alternative to staying in your hot kitchen, cooking over an electric hob.

• Put off the flat screen television purchase or unplug the one you have when it is not in use. Many flat screen televisions can use as much power as an energy-efficient refrigerator.