Action plan to focus attention on energy efficiency
A national energy efficiency action plan, launched with the budget speech earlier this week, is aimed at reducing energy emissions in Malta by 9% by 2016, in line with EU targets.
Resources Minister George Pullicino, who spoke about the plan this morning, said its main purpose is to change behaviour patterns. It would be futile to invest in alternative sources, if energy was wasted.
Mr Pullicino said one could detect greater public awareness towards the use of more efficient electrical appliances, and the government wanted to push this process forward. The incentives for the purchase of energy efficient white goods had been successful, and the government would now be directing its attention towards incentives in other areas where the people had not yet opted for such efficient equipment.
The government, he said, was trying to lead by example. His own ministry had achieved considerable savings when it replaced old neon tubes. Savings of up to 30 percent had been made at power-thirsty reverse osmosis plants through the installation of more efficient equipment.
He said that the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) and Enemalta had set up a committee to consider eliminating street lighting where it was not needed, an example being country roads with little traffic, where cat’s eyes would suffice.
Furthermore, in March, Enemalta would launch an exercise to introduce ‘smart’ electricity meters.
As announced in the budget, Enemalta experts would also offer to hold energy audits for households, checking their appliances and also advising them on passive energy saving measures, such as the proper use of windows.
Measures proposed in the action plan, some of which have already been adopted, include rebates on energy efficient domestic appliances, promotion of solar water heaters, subsidies for the insulation of buildings and the promotion of energy saving lamps, information campaign to promote energy efficiency, modernisation of agricultural holdings, promotion and assistance for energy efficiency in industry, advisory services on energy efficiency, including energy efficient driving, promotion of electric vehicles, teleworking, better product levels and intelligent metering.
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david bugeja
Nov 10th 2008, 11:06
what is wrong with this country ..? wind turbines an eyesore and noisy
rubbish .! taxing free energy's the problem, hence the hassle for permits . Our goverment realy likes and wants our money.but can't come up with a plausible plan to tax home grown free energy come on ,we put up with so much crap in this country,what with sun blocking highrise buildings,extravgant goverment cars and overseas travel (first class for the big wigs ) in your face development . and tut ,tut we have to be told how to conserve our energy .Oh as if I leave all my lights on just for fun ! ,when i see a turbiine turning in the wind I feel proud for its owner ,a thumb to the nose for those who think belching smoke is no problem ,to the tax man who is puzzled with the idea of free energy .
wind energy has powered nations economy's . helped our for fathers cross oceans and now you need a permit to harness it . I know its not completely free but it's a damn sight better than sponsering a new volvo , bmw or firsclass seat for the select few .
Norman Stivala
Nov 9th 2008, 20:05
Dear Sir,
I read your letter but you miss the point completely. Can you please explain to how to economise on energy efficiency when without even switching the main on I have had an increase from 55.9 to 420 Euros without putting one atom (better still 3 one of carbon and 2 of oxygen) into the air. Can you please instruct me what to do with the main switch.
Norman
michael Gatt
Nov 9th 2008, 12:00
We are being told that the big increase in car licences is being done to solve air pollution especially where diesel engines are concerned. So may I ask why we are made to go through VRT test year on and year off, and why they insert a pipe in the exhaust outlet to check the amount of fumes going out in the air? Whom are they fooling by saying the increase in licences is done for this purpose
Ian Bugeja
Nov 9th 2008, 10:18
@IGalea
I'm not questioning the validity of those values but if they are true switching from an electric geyser to a solar powered one than the electricity increase would be practically null.
That's why people need such expenses imposed on them to start using renewable sources of energy.
Franco Sciberras
Nov 9th 2008, 06:49
In less sunny countries than ours, one can see street lighting with photovoltaic cells on top of each individual lamp post. The saving in the long term is obvious.
I am not sure if such PV cells give enough energy for a whole day's cycle. If yes, an additional saving can be done by doing away with cabling the entire installation (copper is another commodity whose price has going up).
On certain roads, cats' eyes and reflective signage goes a long way to reducing the need for overhead electricity IF THESE ARE WELL MAINTAINED.
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 8th 2008, 22:35
" I Galea and Marcel Dingli......if you are missing the Mintoff days you can always pack up and spend your days in some 'democratic' republic....As for the figures quoted by I Galea I am afraid I can't make much sense out of them. For one thing, as far as I know neither the old tariffs nor the new ones relating to electricity consumption are related to the number of persons in the household - only water consumption is and this is not the major share of the W&E bills. Speaking for myself, the bill for the 6 months ending May 2008 was around Eur 900; the surcharge for this period was still 50%. Had the surcharge been 95% the bill would have been about 30% higher i.e. Eur 1 200. At the new rates for my consumption bracket - I believe 18.9c per kWh - I reckon I will be paying around Eur 1 500 p.a. - around Eur 1 000 for the 6 winter months and Eur 500 for the summer months. This would compare with Eur 1 200 + Eur600= Eur1 800 p.a. on the old rates + 95% surcharge.
aldo costa
Nov 8th 2008, 22:31
Back to the old Mintoff years!!!!
You do not know what you're saying!!!!
Yes you are correct you are still young. To own a video recorder in those days would be a criminal offence. For a cordless phone you would have been jailed. And now you compare these days with the Mintoff years.......
aldo.
lGalea
Nov 8th 2008, 21:04
These are the new burdens that the people will have to bear with the new tariffs according to a study by EneMalta and the Water Services Corporation..
Household Before elections NOW Difference
2-person €563 (Lm242) €919 (Lm359) €356 (Lm153)
3-person €598 (Lm257) €978 (Lm420) €379 (Lm162)
4-person €688 (Lm295) €1119 (Lm480) €431 (Lm185)
Paul Agius
Nov 8th 2008, 19:35
The new licences fees aim to wipe away from the streets cars a bit old.
But what is ironic is the fact Government / EU are portraying themselves towards an "energy efficient" plan, and AT THE SAME TIME DON'T EVEN CONSIDER THE GREAT ENERGY NEEDED TO PRODUCE A NEW CAR, ... to mention just an example of their many contradictions.
Marcel Dingli
Nov 8th 2008, 18:43
The difference between Mintoff`s days and now is that at that time the Government realised we had to economise and left the consolidated fund full. Now it is money no problem, finanzi fis sod, budget sod and par idejn sodi and have all those billions of debts. This is why we were much better off during Mintoff`s time. These words are not coming from an MLP supporter but from someone who was and still is a diehard Nationalist and who had a sworn war in Mintoff`s time. It is the PN that has changed, a change for the worse. It has become more socialist, quasi communist, more than the worst times of socialist Malta.
john fenech
Nov 8th 2008, 18:32
At Mater Dei the waiting halls are well illuminated, but in the morning at least 50% is waste, since in most areas there is sufficient daylight for natural illumination, while the lighting of the corridors bordering the main entrance or other open spaces should be controlled through a light sensor.
May I suggest that the power consumption of all government’s office and other building will be derived, as much as possible, from alternate power systems. This should also apply to all open air public places, telephone kiosks and street lighting. So that the government will be leadind by example!
Less frequented roads might not require the same luminosity as major thoroughfare but on the other hand a total blackout will be irresponsible since this could lead to accidents especially during the winter. It would be much better to exploit solar energy panels to light such roads!
Keith Davis
Nov 8th 2008, 18:01
SMART ELECTRICITY METERS, one can buy such a meter, its small, rather cheap, easy to install and there is no need to replace your current meter. This has a sensor clip which you would just clip it on to your meter wire, just as if you would hang a top to your clothes wire to dry.
Then there is a wireless small console which gives you detailed information on how much electricity you are utilizing and also the costs. This will help you achieve a better way in utilizing your appliances and other elec eaters.
Julia Cassar
Nov 8th 2008, 17:59
I must admit I am too young to remember Mintoff days. I was told that he used to get much critisized for switching street lights on and off, probably by this same newspaper. What was bad then is bad now, or was it not that bad after all ?
Joe Vella
Nov 8th 2008, 17:57
@ l. Galea
Of course it was much better under Mintoff. Who could argue with you when one put the switch on and there was no electricity at the other end; or when someone turned the tap on and all that caome out was some dusty residual.
Anthony Grech
Nov 8th 2008, 17:21
Can any one, being Government Minister, Enemalta corporation or any other expert explain how can a bankrupt Enemalt is managing to build a new enormous Headquarters/Offices at Xewkija Gozo. Being on the subject can any Malta Heritage Officer, Wirt Artna or the Museum Department personnel explain why are they letting Enemalta to continue ruining what seems to be an archeological site found on the site where the H.Q. are being build?
Is it possible that one of Malta's news papers, including the Times of Malta, investigate and inform the people what these archeological sites really are?
lGalea
Nov 8th 2008, 16:41
Julian Cassar
It was much better in Mintoff's days
john Borg Mizzi
Nov 8th 2008, 15:44
How about offering all those who are on a social retirement pension another special reduction offer, say that of 50% disbursement of the material expenses involved so as to modernize their electrical installation or to those who need to make an additional upgrade to any part of their residence such as electrical system, or bath-rooms. One must always see that the Government won't press a lot of indirect taxes that has effected these pensioners in this last budget. Please do take care of these people now....
john falzon
Nov 8th 2008, 15:02
I have heard a rumour that the SMART electricity meters are quite large and will very likely not fit within the existing meter space. Can someone please confirm whether this is the case ?
Also will the consumer be expected to pay for any eventual meter replacement ?
Finally it should be noted that we already have one of the digital meters fitted - will this relatively recent unit therfore simply be discarded ?
In general it seems to me that too many wrong decisions are being made and all at the cost of our taxes .. just an idea but perhaps it is time Government started to psychologically assess individuals prior to appointing them to certain decision-making positions so as to ensure they have the necessary foresight..
J Spiteri
Nov 8th 2008, 14:19
Suggestion; who don't the Enemalta EXPERTS find an alternative to replace Malta & Gozo's street lights with an energy saving bulbs.
C Micallef
Nov 8th 2008, 13:43
YOU CAN START WITH MATER DEI!
There's absolutely no point in having permamently closed windows at Mater Dei. Why should it depend solely on air conditioning? Visitors and staff will still carry bacteria with them when they go inside the hospital.
Also, the extremely tall outdoor lamps of the hospital can be turned to solar as the sun reaches them all day.
I also wish that in our streets we start having solar lamps but the tall buildings may pose a problem by hiding the sun.
Julian Cassar
Nov 8th 2008, 13:30
back to the old Mintoff years
Jean Paul Galea
Nov 8th 2008, 13:18
Its is good to be more efficient but its hard to get people to be more efficient when they are used to "Waste". I am not sure that its is all our fault since the media has been pushing waste for the last 100 years because it is financed mainly by oil companies. Now that we are used to it we are told its not good. I believe the government should go for renewable energy if he wants to reduce waste since it is much faster and if we want to reach the EU targets. The government is all the time preaching the green energy mantra but then again most of it are simple words. I just tried to apply for a permit for a wind turbine and the first email i got was we discourage you to get one in rural area (mepa). There is no real countryside in malta so no permits will ever really be given to anyone except enemalta for its false green advertising.