Drop in gas emissions from power stations

A combination of higher electricity bills and economic slowdown may have saved more than 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases from being emitted into the atmosphere by the two power stations in Marsa and Delimara.

Registered emissions, falling under the EU's emissions' trading scheme, show that in 2008 Malta produced 8,779 tonnes of greenhouse gases less than in the previous year, according to a report published in Brussels yesterday.

According to an EU official, this may have been the result of two things: lower consumption or a slower economy.

"It is quite normal than when the price of electricity is increased there is less consumption. The economy did not help as 2008 was already affected by the current global economic downturn. Thus it seems Malta's two power stations didn't have to work as much as in the previous year," the official said.

Malta has two power stations registered under the EU's emissions scheme reserved for large industrial plants. Last year they produced 2.02 million tonnes of greenhouse gases against the 2.03 million tonnes produced in 2007.

Last year's greenhouse gas production, emitted from the power station's chimneys as a result of burning fuel, were within the limits set by the Commission, which was trying to lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by setting quotas for member states.

According to its National Allocation Plan, drawn up by the Maltese authorities and approved by the EU executive, Malta was allowed a maximum of 2.107 million tonnes of emissions during 2008.

Although registering a decrease, Malta's dip was lower than the EU's average three per cent decrease in emissions.

The Commission said it was not possible to precisely attribute the drop in emissions or how much was a consequence of the economic downturn, which had led to cuts in industrial production across the continent.

European Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas said the reduction confirmed the EU's system of curbing greenhouse gas emissions was reaping results.

The EU's data showed mixed results across the union. Some big polluters, notably the UK, saw their emissions rise but three other big economies - Germany, Italy and France - emitted less than they had in 2007.