Boiler refurbishment plans dropped after Enemalta buys cleaner fuel
Enemalta has dropped controversial plans to refurbish two boilers at the Delimara power station using EU funds.
The plans had been contested by the European Commission, which last year launched a state-aid investigation to establish whether it constituted unfair competition.
Enemalta had planned to modify the boilers to produce less harmful emissions, such as sulphur dioxide and dust. It was to use €15.5 million in EU funds, along with a commercial loan of €2.8 million to complete the project.
"The Maltese Government has withdrawn its State aid notification to the European Commission on the Environmental Project for the Delimara Power Station as the project will no longer be carried out," the government said.
"The project will no longer be carried out because the aims of the project have been reached in other ways, particularly through Enemalta's sourcing of cleaner fuels. This has made it possible for the Delimara Power Station to improve its environmental performance"
The EU funds will be used for other projects.
Under EU rules, member states are only allowed to subsidise such projects up to 15 per cent of the costs. Malta was planning to subsidise Enemalta's project to the tune of 85 per cent of the costs.
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m. borg (slm)
Feb 8th, 11:04
Buying dirty fuel and charging us "cleaner fuel"rates. Day light robbery. Sometimes you could smell the sulpher dioxide emitted from one's car and it stinks.
m. borg (slm)
Feb 8th, 11:02
"Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex?" Then why opt for an HFO operated extention, PL was right all along the BWSC contract smells fishy.
.
Time to learn who will benefit from the €4 million in commissions.
tony abela
Feb 8th, 08:52
After all this time with all the harm to the people's health and environment it is about time Enemalta decides to buy cleaner fuel!!!
This issue should also be raised about the fuel Enemalta is importing for our cars. I am sure the pollution can be improved a lot if better quality fuel is procured.
Paul Barrett
Feb 8th, 09:46
Quote: This issue should also be raised about the fuel Enemalta is importing for our cars. I am sure the pollution can be improved a lot if better quality fuel is procured. Unquote.
Obviously pollution is a problem and health is vitally important but if and when a better, higher quality fuel is produced, will you be one of the many to complain about the very much higher cost to purchase it?
Chris Xuereb
Feb 8th, 10:14
At least one would have a choice. Overseas you see different grades of fuel, obviously at different prices. You also see different prices at different fuel stations......... Although this sector was supposedly liberalised we only see one price at all fuel stations, that set by the competent authority!
Peter Murray
Feb 8th, 11:01
Mr Barrett,
It never ceases to amaze me of the soothsayer qualities of a lot of commenators.How do you know what Mr Abela -or the other "many"-who will OBVIOUSLY(obvious to whom exactly?) complain(according to the findings of your crystal ball) about the apparently higher cost(an automatic increase in price seemingly- but quality always incurs a premium)when a better, higher quality of fuel is produced.Newsflash.Such higher quality and better fuel-as you refer to such -is already produced but not made available by Enemalta to Maltese consumers as Enemalta prefer to supply us with a no option ,low-grade,poor quality(cheap) fuel to maximise profits.Could you pick my Super 5 numbers for me please as you obviously possess oracle-like qualities?
tony abela
Feb 8th, 11:23
Dear Paul Bonnett,
Better fuel is the norm in europe and in most cases not more expensive than ours, which is second grade.