The search for oil would be intensified and the use of renewable energy fiscally encouraged under the draft National Energy Policy that would see over €1 billion spent on modernising the energy sector.
The draft policy, launched for public consultation yesterday, proposes to improve Enemalta's energy-generating efficiency while reducing reliance on imported fuels.
The roads network would be improved to avoid congestion and street lighting evaluated for efficiency of energy consumption and light pollution.
These are a few of the measures laid out in the government's draft policy that will now be subject to an eight-week consultation period.
"We can't afford anything less than a revolution in the energy sector or we will pay a hefty price. Energy efficiency is closely tied to our country's competitiveness and this affects jobs," Resources Minister George Pullicino said at the launch.
The policy, which he described as "sensitive and complicated", outlines the priority areas and objectives for the overhaul of the energy sector to ensure that EU targets are reached.
These targets call for a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, an increase of renewable sources to 20 per cent of energy consumption and a reduction of energy consumption also by 20 per cent.
The emphasis of the policy is to ensure security of energy supplies, environmental protection and competitiveness.
The Malta Resources Authority's chief executive, Antoine Riolo explained that it identified six key areas to attain these objectives: energy efficiency, reducing reliance on imported fuels, stability in energy supplies, reducing emissions, effective and efficient delivery of energy supplies and support to the energy sector.
The policy, he explained, stretched over to various sectors that included transport, alternative energy, buildings' energy efficiency, waste management, oil exploration, fiscal policy, education, research and investment.
The estimated national investment on various projects to modernise the energy sector would exceed €1 billion and include the installation of the electricity cable between Malta and Sicily, the installation of the new electricity plant at Delimara and investment in renewable energy sources.
Mr Pullicino noted that the government planned to issue new schemes for the installation of photovoltaic panels, double glazing and roof installation.
The draft policy also speaks of maintaining a security stock of fuel to cater for short-term stops in energy supply and carrying on with the reform of the fuel market to ensure fair competition.
Within a few weeks, Mr Riolo said, the MRA would start testing fuel to ensure that it meets the specifications set in EU directives.
The draft policy document can be viewed on the ministry's website at www.mrra.gov.mt.
For more information contact the ministry on 2295 2000 or e-mail energypolicy.mrra@gov.mt.