The gas bottling plant in Qajjenza, near Birzebbuga, is expected to close at the end of next month as Gasco starts using its new facility at Benghajsa.
Replying to a question by Labour MP Charles Buhagiar, the minister said everything appeared to be on schedule for operations to start at the Benghajsa plant at the end of July, whereupon the Qajjenza plant would be closed down.
Gasco started to build the new €20m plant at Benghajsa in 2010 as part of its contractual obligations when it took over gas operations from Enemalta. The move was made necessary because of the proximity of residential building at Qajjenza and Gasco's need to have bigger gas storage facilities.
Gasco, a sister company of Liquigas, has installed six large purpose-built LPG storage tanks which will double its storage capacity and thus ensure better security of supply.
The new tanks were manufactured by Tanko S.p.A. of Italy. They are 42 metre long with a diameter of 7.5meters and feature the latest safety features.
Total storage capacity will increase from the present 2,300 tons to 4,800 tons.
The plant includes a pipeline from the importation terminal to the facility, a cylinder filling plant, a road tanker filling point to deliver bulk LPG to its clients, and an administration building.