'Gas pipeline not currently feasible'

Analyses have shown that the concept of having a gas pipeline to Sicily is not currently feasible because, when one takes into consideration the capital expenses and the prices of gas, the situation would not remain a competitive option when compared to other choices.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said this in reply to a parliamentary question by Nationalist MP Jean Pierre Farrugia, who had asked for developments and when the project would be finalised. Minister Fenech also pointed out that a pipeline would require a fixed connection with a sole supplier, which could be risky.

To mitigate that risk the connection would need to be with a network of pipelines, at prohibitive costs.

The situation was under periodic review in the light of changes on international markets, but for the moment the government was considering other options.