MLP questions alternative energy projects

Technical and scientific studies in connection with the government's plans for alternative energy should be tabled in Parliament, the Labour Party insisted yesterday.

MLP environment spokesman Leo Brincat raised a series of questions as the government plans to introduce wind energy and announce a series of environmentally-friendly measures in tomorrow's budget.

Referring to the selection of a location for a wind farm, Mr Brincat asked whether any environmental problems associated with the site had been raised. The Labour Party said the government should disclose the names of the members appointed to its advisory board for the offshore wind energy project.

The government should also confirm whether any alternative sites for onshore and offshore wind energy projects had been considered.

In response, the Resources Ministry said the proposed wind farm was expected to generate electricity for 21,000 homes.

The government would be submitting an application to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in the coming days. An Environmental Impact Assessment was a part of that process, the ministry said.

Other alternative energy plans revolve around waste-to-energy projects: the Sant' Antnin recycling plant is expected to generate electricity for 1,400 homes while the engineered landfill at Għallis will supply electricity to 4,000 homes.