One World - Planning guidance for micro-wind turbines (4)
Renewable energy from wind
In March 2009 the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs published for public consultation a draft Energy Policy for Malta. The second policy area of document is the reduction of reliance on imported fuels and supports the development of renewable sources.
It identifies wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, biomass waste, landfill gas and sewage treatment as the sources that have potential for further exploration. The policy makes an emphasis on the government's commitment to continue the development of a strategy that will seek the promotion of renewable energy sources to meet the established targets.
The policy document also indicates that micro-wind turbines offer potential for wind exploitation on land. It acknowledges that there are barriers for the uptake of small-scale wind farms in urban areas because of planning constraints that are likely to originate due to visual impacts on the Maltese townscapes as well as noise issues.
The document adds that a disadvantage of small turbines is that they have to be installed in larger numbers to contribute a significant share of clean energy and thus the cumulative impact could be high.
The 2006 Draft Renewable Energy Policy for Malta also indicated micro-wind as possible sources of RES while the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (Draft) proposes the carrying out of pilot projects for this technology.
Mepa has published a proposed Planning Guidance for Micro-Wind Turbines.
This draft document, which is currently up for public consultation, can be viewed on website: www.mepa.org.mt and any comments or suggestions can be sent through e-mail address: microwind@mepa.org.mt by September 11.