Wind farms in Malta?

There will be long-term benefits when Malta fulfils by 2020 its EU obligations whereby at least 10 per cent of local electrical energy production would come from renewable energy sources. Reaching this target is a challenge, not an imposition or an economic hindrance. It stems from a need to secure strategic energy supplies in a time when not even our maritime boundaries and seabed resources therein are always secure. In a scenario of unpredictable world oil supply, it is essential to have part of our energy sources coming from a more secure local provenance, while reducing our carbon footprint.

Some European countries have already secured a sizable percentage of their energy supply from renewable energy sources above the EU minimum threshold, while those that lag behind are investing vigorously in innovative energy technologies. Malta cannot be left behind in this common European energy strategy.

The options for renewable energy sources available for Malta are numerous. However, local discussion (including that emanating from the opposition) has been limited to energy sources of climatic origin, which are wind farms and photovoltaic panels.

Wind farms have long been considered a viable option along the wind-swept north Atlantic European coast now affected by more frequent Atlantic storms, but less viable in the case of Malta especially during the summer months when stable air is prevalent. The farms require a large capital investment and large land footprint which would impinge on our limited territory and pristine skyline that few would want to sacrifice.

Offshore wind farms are considered to be more expensive than those onshore by a magnitude of 15 to 20. The viability of these offshore wind farms such as those proposed for Sikka l-Bajda also rests on the cost of safe seabed foundations for the wind turbine tower so that it would not succumb to strong sea currents and obviously, strong wind. This cost is controlled by the yet unknown seabed geology of this offshore bank, making it for now an unpredictable cost that remains unaccounted for in the Mott McDonald report on renewable energy in Malta.

We have to start thinking out of the box to harness our rightful share of earth energy resources sensibly. Geothermal energy is fast becoming a viable energy alternative which has been successfully harnessed by Italy since 1904 and is now utilised in 70 countries. This is a clean renewable energy source that has a small land and carbon footprint and unlike other renewable energy sources, gives a constant supply of energy. Geothermal energy relies on the heat generated under the earth's crust so that its potential becomes greatest where the crust is thinnest, where it may also trigger volcanic activity.

Just a few kilometres south of Dingli Cliffs, the earth's crust thins considerably (and sea depth increases to over a kilometre) in what is known as the Pantelleria Rift. Geothermal heat in this area needs to be investigated. If feasibility studies prove positive, geothermal energy can be harnessed by boreholes drilled down to some depths in the earth's crust where hot rocks will heat water and transform it into steam. This steam is piped back to the surface where it powers turbines. We could replace part of the imported hydrocarbons with this infinite and free source of energy.

Success in geothermal energy and other sources of energy that can be extracted from the earth's crust ultimately depends on our scientific knowledge of Malta's onshore and offshore geology. Much of Malta's earth energy potential remains poorly studied especially within our Exclusive Economic Zone which is more than a hundred times larger than our land territory.

Despite this fact and Malta's very limited land resources, we have surprisingly ignored our immense offshore seabed resources. Meanwhile, all neighbouring countries have invested greatly in seabed exploration and land resources.

It is now clear that our seabed has long been under the scrutiny of covetous neighbours who will exploit any opportunity to secure more seabed resources for themselves, even at our expense.

This may happen because, unlike all Mediterranean countries, Malta still lacks the institutions that could investigate and advise on matters related to our land and seabed natural resources.

In fact, Malta also remains the only EU country that does not have a "Geological Service" as the competent institution on these matters. Even small countries such as Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and others, have long established their own geological service immediately following independence as part of their nation-building institutions.

Geothermal energy has the potential for solving part of our energy problem if we have the right scientific institutions and sufficient institutional courage. We only need to recall that had Malta not made the bold decision to invest in new technology called reverse osmosis some 30 years ago, we would today be rationing drinking water.

Dr Pullicino Orlando is a Nationalist MP.

jpullicinoorlando@yahoo.com