New form of energy, same mistake

The energy crisis in Malta is clearly visible, arising from a high dependency on oil, an energy monopoly, non-transparent energy prices and high fluctuations in those prices. The increasing demand for energy and the missing power generating capacities could lead to an even bigger crisis.

Only now that the European Union has set some targets on the utilisation of renewable energy has the Maltese government started to wake up.

Now three possible sites for wind farms are being mentioned by the Resources Minister and the Prime Minister was reported as saying that "... Malta should not make the mistake of depending on an infrastructure which operated only on one source of fuel to produce energy..." A mistake, I might add, which the authorities have been making for far too long.

The government has to stop discussing and start acting. The energy crisis can be easily overcome, with Malta's geographical attributes offering many different ways to produce energy for the people. Various small and medium sized wind farms, both on-shore and off-shore, photovoltaic and water heating panel systems on flat roofs, geo-thermal power plants and tidal or sea current turbines can supply Malta with enough energy for its needs.

It would be important to bet on the right mix. But by favouring wind energy only, the government is in danger of repeating history and making the same mistake as when it went into full dependency on oil.