From energy policy to practice

Through its proposal for an energy policy, issued recently for consultation, the government clearly showed that it was tackling the question of energy seriously and needed now to shift the emphasis from talk to action.

This latest proposal develops the earlier draft of 2006 and together with the recently issued National Energy Efficiency Plan, the draft Climate Change Strategy, the Solid Waste Management Strategy and various other policy statements on energy, the emphasis should now turn to implementation, not only because we have to meet EU deadlines, but primarily because it is necessary for Malta to do so.

Once we have a sorely-needed water policy added to this wealth of documentation we can be satisfied that the energy sector is being treated as comprehensively as it should be.

Malta's size and high population density should not make exploitation of renewable energy sources (RES) very difficult. The concentration of dwellings should lend itself to the development of solar roof panels, for example, to create a critical mass that may also facilitate sharing any excess power from one household to another.

No one should take issue with the overall goals and objectives, and the policy on how to attain them. There may, however, be need for more reflection on energy efficiency.

The section of the proposal on energy efficiency may require some re-writing and re-focusing, even if expert assistance is required. The Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) of the United Nations for example, of which Malta is a member, is the foremost agency in Europe for energy efficiency and is currently assisting most of the newer EU members in this area. If requested, it could share some of its experience with Malta.

In Malta's case, energy efficiency should not be seen just from the point of view of electricity generation and distribution, energy end-use and transport. Other major factors should include the reduction, if not elimination, of the loss of rain water that flows directly into the sea. This needs to be done even before a water policy is established, taking into consideration the high energy input in the water that flows from our taps and the huge amount that is literally allowed to go down the drain.

The work being done to stop illegal boreholes and any efforts to upgrade recycled second class water for use in irrigation and other industrial applications should also be reflected in energy efficiency efforts.

Considering Malta's car to person ratio, the density of vehicles on the roads and the poor condition of some of them, the enactment and enforcement of stricter regulations in this area would have a major impact on energy efficiency.

The energy policy should be more aggressive on RES with the opportunities for oil exploration remaining uncertain. Unless there are more feasible and reliable figures for wind energy than those indicated in the proposal, solar energy should also be given more prominence.

Indeed, it must be the centrepiece of any RES policy in Malta. In addition to the technologies exploited piecemeal at the moment, we have to look to larger-scale exploitation of technologies that we know are already in existence and are available for larger-scale development.

Spain, for example, has been exploiting concentrated solar power (CSP) for some time now and has about 54 projects in existence spread all over the country. Algeria, Morocco and Egypt are already co-operating with Spain in this field.

The sun's potential must be considered as the primary source of RES in energy policy for Malta and, if necessary and feasible, be supplemented by wind power. Costs alone, which in any case already compare favourably with some conventional sources of energy, should not discourage CSP exploitation in Malta.

To put wave energy in the same category as hydropower - and saying it does not offer significant opportunities for exploitation in Malta - may prove shortsighted.

In some technologies this power is possible even when the sea surface is calm, but there is a swell below sea level.

The proposal for an energy policy also has a section on international action, which deals mainly with the EU, political and other forums but fails to mention co-operation or the potential for such co-operation with the more technical international agencies like CERN and IAEA that are pioneering work in the area of RES.

The ongoing consultation process will hopefully result in a stronger and more sustainable energy policy for Malta.