Strong interest in energy equipment subsidy scheme
There has been a strong uptake of applications for a new government refund scheme on energy saving equipment, with 118 applications within a few hours for refunds on photovoltaic panels and another 133 on solar water heaters.
The scheme opened this morning.
Resources Minister George Pullicino said there also were eight applications for refunds on roof insulation.
He explained that applicants first had to get a quote from their retailers and apply to the Malta Resources Authority. No equipment can be installed before the MRA gives its go-ahead.
Mr Pullicino said retailers of such equipment had to register and be certified by the MRA. The purpose was to ensure that their equipment met EU standards and achieved the required savings.
Referring to an earlier press conference by Opposition environment spokesman Leo Brincat, Mr Pullicino denied that people had been misled about when the scheme would start. Every scheme had a launch date, he said, and people knew this. However, those who had applied before today would still be eligible for refunds under previous schemes.
Further information is available at www.mra.org.mt.
In the Budget, the government allocated €2 million to the purchase of solar water heaters, through which the buyer can benefit from two-thirds of the cost for a maximum of €460. It is predicted that 4,500 families will benefit from this scheme.
It also allocated €500,000 to fund half the price of photovoltaic panels for a maximum of €3,000 - 200 families are expected to benefit.
€300,000 were allocated to fund 33 per cent of the price of insulation and double-glazing, for a maximum of €300.
Applications will continue to be received up to the end of the month.
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11 Comments
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G. Portelli
Feb 17th 2009, 19:36
@Joe Borg.
No one is twisting facts. As it was announced and as is being done the scheme is offered on a first come first serve basis. I re emphasize the fact that you were cheated by the one who sold you the equipment and not by the government. Go and seek replies from where you bought your system.
Joe Borg
Feb 17th 2009, 08:32
@G.Portelli and @A.Attard
Why are you twisting words when in the November Budget it was clearly announced that a rebate would be given on a first come firsy serve basis ???
G.Portelli
Feb 17th 2009, 06:43
@Joe Borg.
Not to defend the minister but I think you were cheated by the one who sold you the solar water heater as they knew that the scheme was not yet launched. I was going to do the same but one dealer opened my eyes about the situation and told me to wait until the government launched the cheme. If I were you I ll seek answers from the one who sold you the system. And this is a lesson for next time - go to multiple dealers and seek the ones who are giving you a good deal not those who talk a lot and deliver lies.
a attard
Feb 16th 2009, 23:26
@Mr. Borg
I had a member of the family applying for a solar water heater today. The vendor informed her of the full details besides that she made a number of phone calls to MRA where she was explained the details and seemed to be well in the loop about the situation. Many people seemed to be aware of the situation as apparantly there was a long line this morning to apply for the subsidy. Wasn't your vendor aware of details and guided you accordingly? - Just wondering
Paul Barrett
Feb 16th 2009, 22:43
It is a shame that Photo voltaic systems are just too big and expensive to have a viable system installed at household level.
The water heating system at least practical for a large number of the population and it is a shame again that the bureaucratic system had to be complicated to such an extent when their is a very much more simple way to help everyone install the system. All that needed to be done was to exempt VAT on every system (including installation costs), across the board. It would have spread the limited finances a lot further and cut out the mass of complicated paper work as well as the fear of not qualifying - leaving the purchaser in the lurch.
Joe Borg
Feb 16th 2009, 20:54
In November 2008 budget, it was stated from Minister Tonio Fenech that the government would give a rebate of 460 Euro to the first 4,000 or so families who purchased a solar water heater. Fact !!! Today, Minister George Pullicino stated in a press conference that people who bought solar water heaters were not misled about when the scheme would start.In January 2009, I like many others installed a solar water heater with the notion that it would be on a first come first served basis for the scheme as mentioned in the budget. Fact !!! After seeing such a response, Mr Pullicino has the gaul to say that people had been misled about the scheme, thus only those solar water heaters installed from the 16th February will benefit the rebate. Fact !!! Dear Mr Pullicino, I like many others, who purchased solar water heaters before the 16th February, feel cheated and please don't try to explain to the public about misinterpretations, get a video clip of Tonio Fenech's budget speech. So much small talk from a big man !!!!!
Stefan
Feb 16th 2009, 20:48
@L.Galea Photovoltaic cells are less popular, less cost-efficient and more expensive than solar water heaters. Keep that in mind.
V Fenech
Feb 16th 2009, 19:02
What about all the households that boght energy equipment just after they heard the budget speech?
L..Galea
Feb 16th 2009, 18:26
Only 200 families. What about the rest?
Ryan Dalli
Feb 16th 2009, 18:14
Next step for the Government is to consider changing the new rules and make a distinction between conventional plastic bags and biodegradable ones. It does not make any sense to have a tax on both these types of bags.
R.Farrugia
Feb 16th 2009, 16:59
Well done to the government for the two news items just received. Both the moratorium on loans by touristic entities and the refund on energy saving apparatus are tangable moves to help the country overcome the current world financial crisis. What are the moaners and gloomers+the opposition doing to say now?