Why is Malta so backward in solar energy, Labour asks
The government should explain why Malta has remained so backward in the use of solar energy when compared to other Mediterranean countries such as Cyprus, Israel and Spain, the Labour Party's spokesman for the Environment said yesterday.
Leo Brincat said that the Labour Party believed there was an urgent need for the country to promote alternative sources of energy.
A small but significant step would be to increase the use of solar water heaters and a bigger effort should be made for the country to become more efficient in the use of energy.
While the government should lead by example, there had to be coordination with all sectors on domestic, commercial and industrial levels, Mr Brincat said.
The Labour party believed the country should explore all possibilities for the use of cleaner energy, including wind farms and bio-gas, since this would reduce the country's dependence on oil.
Any project in this direction should be considered on the basis of sustainable development in the best interests of the country.
The MLP, Mr Brincat said, also believed that Enemalta could contribute since the country needed to diversify its energy sources.
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Joanna Borg
Aug 27th 2008, 08:53
How can new home buyers even consider solar water heaters when all the new apartments have no access to a roof? Every where you look are apartments with a penthouse!
We installed a solar water heater 15 years ago, and now because MEPA changed the permits in our area, our solar heater is in total shade throughout the winter months! So much for encouraging people to invest in environmentally friendy alternatives!
guze xerri
Aug 26th 2008, 22:02
just imagine if half of the air conditioners in Malta were run off photo voltaic cell for ten hours a day.
the system will pay for itself in a very short time.
less pollution from our generating station too.
this can be done very easily with simple and old technology.
A Daley
Aug 26th 2008, 21:10
It would be more appropriate to ask this question to the previous PN leader.
Go back a few years and read what was promised, then make you own judgment.
One of the promises was that after the Dellimara Power Station was up and running, the Marsa Power Station site would be turned into a state of the art National Garden. This should have been ready by 1996, always state of the art eh!
Even if we simply see a few stones and some concrete on the ground, it is called state of the art open theatre. Caracalla eh!
Besides, the MLP should by now be aware that everything is state of the art on our Island.
Or is it state of the farce!
N. Enriquez
Aug 26th 2008, 19:40
What is Malta not backward in, may I ask?
apgrech
Aug 26th 2008, 18:08
We have a government that specializes in procrastination and they won't do anything before it's too late.
francesca vincenti
Aug 26th 2008, 12:18
I'm not interested in getting political here. My comments are purely concerned with alternative energy solutions.
Our islands are riddled with countless (and most are unnecessary) street lights.
Can I query why these not powered by individual solar panels as in Cyprus? I'm sure that I'll hear some excuse that this would require very high intial investment, but with rising energy costs, surely such measures justify immediate implementation?
On that note, why don't we use highway reflectors instead of street lights along areas like the St Paul's Bay by-pass and the Attard/Qormi by-pass? Think Smart energy solutions and please reduce national expenditure where possible.
The sun is our greatest asset. Use it.
Wind farms? Sure, but these will only work best in winter.
Photovoltaric? Great, but will we get better rates to justify our investment and/or contribution to the Grid eventually?
Chris Borg
Aug 26th 2008, 12:03
As long as I know in the late 80s the Labour government had brought to Malta some Swedish experts to help build a solar power plant. But than there was a change in government and this project was shelved - or rather dumped.
C. Scerri
Aug 26th 2008, 11:32
Can the MLP give us a hint on its plans? This should also include the expected increase in the utility bills if alternative energy is utilised as well as the actual increase in expenses for the individual if alternative energy production is taken up by home users.
In the US and other countries - home alternative energy equipment (photovoltaics and wind) are heavily subsidised by government (= Tax payer) to the tune of 75% or more, otherwise they do not make economical sense.