Enemalta faces fine for excessive emissions

Enemalta Corporation is facing the prospect of fines for having exceeded targeted emission ceilings of sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides last year, in breach of the Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) permits for the Marsa and Delimara power stations.

Answering a parliamentary question by Labour MP Leo Brincat, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that as soon as Mepa had been informed of the surpassed ceiling, the authority had demanded from Enemalta a detailed explanation of the discrepancy between the estimated anticipated emissions up to the end of 2010 and the actual.

A working group had been set up with Enemalta to analyse available data, and talks were currently under way. An audit would be held of the submitted data, and procedures would be reviewed for the setting of emission targets for 2011.

Dr Gonzi added, the Environment Protection Directorate had submitted to the Mepa board various alternatives of how to set the fine that the corporation could eventually face.

Before the final decision was taken in this regard, Enemalta would present to the Mepa board the reasons for exceeding the emission levels.