Increasing energy security

Summer is still the problem season for Malta when it comes to meeting our annual energy demand. Winter peaks for heating have levelled off to spring-autumn consumption rates. Securing more electricity for air conditioning is driving the search for new technologies.

The Malta Resources Authority (MRA) issued a consultation paper last September in response to commercial interest in the use of groundwater for heating and cooling buildings by means of a borehole heat exchange system.

Given the importance but extreme fragility of the aquifer in a region of high water stress, the MRA initiated a consultation process with the aim of "educating users into acceptance".

Speaking at a workshop on implementing the renewable energy directive, Malta Energy-Efficiency and Renewable Energy Association (MEEREA) secretary Charles Yousif said new technologies were welcome if the government could be convinced to invest in them. However, these would be an add-on since Malta's renewable energy target must first of all include proven technologies.

No large-scale entrepreneur has yet taken the initiative to build renewable energy into projects or plan insulation for buildings at design stage. Developer Angelo Xuereb, who attended the workshop, remarked:

"In Malta we are living in a dream - we are not building an energy-efficient outer skin. For a proper energy-efficient building there is a cost, but savings on electricity over the years."

The association believes in a two-pronged approach: "If we only concentrate on energy efficiency we could reduce the quality of life, but if we only concentrate on renewable energy we could end up using more energy." Both cutting back and switching technologies are complementary in the drive to meet Malta's energy targets.

Building regulations, which have now been in force for over a year on paper, need to be applied with a required minimum of renewables installed in new buildings, in line with the European directive for energy performance of buildings. To increase security for investors, clear and transparent procedures must be set to translate the existing legislation to action on the ground.

The workshop, held in collaboration with European Renewable Energy Council, was funded by Intelligent Energy Europe to raise discussion in member states and pave the way for the renewable energy policy action (Repap 2020). This project targets parliamentarians and industry, offering advice on designing individual country action plans while supporting political work in the field of renewable energy.

An entire afternoon session was dedicated to presenting Malta's draft renewable energy industry roadmap to stakeholders for feedback. The plan will now be sent to the MRA and the Resources Ministry for inclusion in the action plan which is due in Brussels by June 30.

If a credible action plan is not produced, the government can be made answerable to the European Court of Justice for not implementing all aspects of the renewable energy directive.

Malta's obligation to present a plan of action on how to meet the country's negotiated targets for heating, cooling, transport and other sectors was discussed by Repap 2020 project officer Lucie Tesniére. Due to limited availability of land, Malta's target for biomass production has been reduced to 1.25 per cent.

Another deadline is transposition of the directive into national law by the end of this year. "The primary legislation process has to start right now," said Ms Tesniére.

Legislation is being drafted to ensure the use of biofuels in the transport sector. Making available a ready mix of biodiesel instead of people having to mix it themselves at the petrol station would promote use.

Standards for renewable energy installations, such as micro-wind, solar heating and photovoltaics are desperately needed so that installers do not create a negative impact on one another. Fines for companies which do not instal these renewable energy systems correctly might lead to more diligence. Accreditation for installers and a national competent board is needed to ensure that suppliers provide consumers with reliable information.

A German company has started building inverters in Malta but the process of setting up and installing PV panels needs to be made more transparent to ensure it is not discriminatory. MEEREA looks to the MRA to monitor this aspect. The association is also calling on the authority to publish its own renewable energy action plan for consultation as soon as possible.

Malta has sent in a forecast document projecting what mix of technologies could be providing Malta's energy by 2020. An offshore windfarm at Sikka il-Bajda could produce 95 megawatts, compared to 14 megawatts from projected onshore sites on Malta.

"In a proactive scenario, assuming all restrictions are removed, offshore wind is a must for Malta in terms of achieving the renewable energy target," said Daniel Rosende of the Fraunhover Institute.

Yousif added that the existing Marsa power plant could offer a unique opportunity for a solar concentrator power source or hybrid PV-wind plant.

There is no longer a monopoly on generating energy, yet distribution and supply are still in the grip of Enemalta.

The Corporation's role in generation, transmission and distribution would have to be decoupled to avoid the corporation competing against itself when it comes to implementing feed-in tariffs for renewable electricity. There is room for more than a single feed-in tariff, depending on the technology.

A third call for European Regional Development Fund energy grants for industry through Malta Enterprise closes on March 26.

The association's workshop has been one of the most successful initiatives taken so far to encourage industry, including tourism, to increase its energy efficiency and renewable energy use.