Power station precipitators off for six months because of flyash transport problems

Enemalta last year switched off precipitators which capture flyash emitted from the power station chimneys after a call for tenders for the contract to transport the flyash drew no interest and the storage facillity filled up, it has been explained in Parliament.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in reply to questions that in July 2008 Enemalta had received an order from Mepa to stop the contractor from transporting flyash. After talks with Mepa the transport of flyash was resumed on condition that a new tender was issued with Mepa-approved specifications. However, when the new call for tenders was made, no contractor showed any interest.

In December 2008 the contractor told the corporation that he no longer had a permit to transport flyash. As a result, when the corporation’s silos filled up with flyash the precipitators that produced it were switched off.

The transport of flyash was resumed after another tender was awarded in June 2009.