Updated: Ministry denies AD wind farm claims
The Resources Ministry has denied a claim by Alternattiva Demokratika that it has received a report showing that a wind farm off Mellieha, on Is-Sikka l-Bajda, would not be viable.
The Ministry said a lot of hard work had been put in over the past few months so that the ministry could, in the near future, finalise and announce its proposals and plans.
The ministry said it would publish all opinions it would have received.
The ministry criticised AD for coming out with its comments even before the process before MEPA had started. AD also had not appreciated the fact that Malta had acute space limitations and the wind farm would have an impact, wherever it was set up.
The wind farm project, however, was of fundamental importance for Malta to reach its clean energy targets, the ministry added.
It hoped that AD would be able to contribute to this process.
AD leader Arnold Cassola, in a reaction to the ministry's statement, said that the government should publish reports in its possession.
"All Maltese and Gozitans have a right to view the reports on which the government has based its decision and judge whether the prevailing meteorological conditions at Sikka l-Bajda are ideal for a wind farm". Prof Cassola said.
"Alternattiva Demokratika is always at the forefront in backing our government on any project based on obtaining energy from renewable sources. However, we do not want projects to be announced without the scientific studies on these projects being conducted beforehand and made available to public opinion. The Resources Ministry should refrain from continuing to withhold the studies that have already been made on this project", Prof Cassola said.
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J. Abela
Apr 6th 2009, 23:16
I am not an alternative energy specialist. The US invest in solar panels and wind turbines covering acres of land. The energy generated from these alternative energy sources is minimal (percentage-wise vs consumption of fossil fuels).
Can't see how wind farms covering some kilometers squared will make wind farms viable!.
Silvio farrugia
Apr 6th 2009, 22:30
If with the 130million all houses were to have a solar heater I think the saving on electricity ( hence the environment ) will be bigger.This is my lay man's opinion.
Joe Portelli
Apr 6th 2009, 18:37
In UK the Crown who owns the continental shelf around the country allows bidding for suitable areas for Wind Farms. The last concessions bids closed this March. There were some 70 international compnaies bidding in the form of some 27 consortiums. 1. Nothing is kept secret to encourage competing interest from all cimpanies. 2. There is plenty of suitable Land in UK, but exploitation of the contental shelf is prefferred, why not in Malta too, before using up scarce land. Malta, under EU law can excercise its rights to exploit energy from its surrounding seas, such as wave, currents, wind etc. etc. So why just a study on 'Land' 3. Anyone (with local council consent) can erect (under EU Rights) a reasonable wind turbine and excess power sold back to national Grid. This would finally bring us equal with our EU Citizens and remove the Enemalta monoploly................
J Busuttil
Apr 6th 2009, 18:07
Another gaffe from Alternattiva. Like Labour saying that Lufthansa Tecknik project was started under Labour. A grand gaffe from PL and J Muscat.
Joseph Buttigieg
Apr 6th 2009, 17:48
Let's be honest; just make the studies public. Why all this secrecy? After all the money spent on such studies are the tax-payer's and not just yours. Thank you
J. Borg
Apr 6th 2009, 17:45
is this the same Ministry who blew trumpets that the Sewage Plant at the other side of Ghadira was in operations.....and then we come to know (not through official sources obviously) that this million euros plant is still discharging sewage in the sea and worse still the water table? There again, AD had expressed its doubts and reservations about the location of such a plant - and till now AD had not been proven wrong. One need not wonder who is credible over the wind farm (again million euros) progect - pls get your act straight for a chance dear government.