Government continuing to hide power station problems - Labour MP
Labour MP Joe Mizzi insisted in parliament this evening that the diesel engines of the Delimara power station extension had a number of problems which had not been solved yet.
Speaking in parliament on the adjournment, Mr Mizzi said that apart from the major fault in the new steam turbine, revealed by the opposition and then confirmed by the government, there were also serious problems in the diesel engines, which the government was trying to hide.
He said there were problems in engines one, six and eight which included the leakage of cooling water. In two of the engines, 18 cylinder heads needed to be removed, but the problems persisted in some cases.
This should be unacceptable for any new equipment, let along brand new power station engines, he said.
There were also problems in a condenser, where the steam was contaminated by seawater used for cooling as the tubes developed holes. Other problems related to welding.
Mr Mizzi said that equipment used to heat water also developed a fault from the 'hammering' of the heated water. It was replaced, not by a new unit, but by another which was second hand.
The Labour MP said that there were still some problems related to the emissions abatement system including the leakage of material, said to be toxic, from bellows and valves.
Mr Mizzi said the Opposition was continuing to insist that independent experts should be brought over to certify the power plant extension before it was handed over to Enemalta by BWSC.
He also insisted that despite the assurance by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, Malta had a problem of security of supply of electricity.
He said that although the minister had given figures to show that Delimara Phase 1 and Marsa power station combined had more than enough capacity to meet the winter peak, technically, when contrasted with the usual practice in power stations abroad, capacity was 114mw less than the required excess margin. It appeared, Mr Mizzi said, that Mr Fenech had based his figures on the Marsa power station capacity when new, and not now.
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joseph saliba
Oct 31st 2012, 16:26
What is the lesson Mr Mizzi wants to convey to us laymen (voters). Better buy cheap second hand 'raċanċ' as it is cheaper and as in/efficient. The money you save goes to repairs. Or what? ...
Thanks for the PN government who's working so hard to satisfy the ever growing energy demand as a result of the progress it brought about.
Edward Mallia
Oct 31st 2012, 11:41
Murmurs from the MEPA troika: Enemalta engineer told members that there was trouble with use of HFO. Cylinder head trouble?
Minister Fenech on recent visit to DPSE. Two engines are running on gasoil. Why, when KPMG said if that is done BWSC may not honour its contract as this stipulated the engines be run on HFO?
And what about the 'innovation' nomination? For rapid erosion of cylinder heads?
Alfred Cremona
Oct 31st 2012, 09:30
@Paul Zammit you said: "well ... I'd rather have Mr. Joe Mizzi quote his sources."
But, it seems you forget that we still do not as yet have a Whistle-Blower Act!
"We say in this nation that we are looking for people with honesty, integrity, drive and dedication, and then when we find such people, we take them out and whip them." -anonymous whistle-blower
And, yes thankyou Mr. Joe Mizzi.
Paul Zammit
Oct 31st 2012, 12:27
The 'whistle blower' can remain in hiding if he so desire. I don't have an issue with that .. actually, he should be given gieh ir republika for his healthy espionage. What I would like to know is who are Mr. Mizzi's TECHNICAL sources if he has any or else if he's just talking off his 'ear' so to speak.
Lawrence Fenech
Oct 31st 2012, 09:26
Yes, hiding the power station problem which is now becoming a well known fact. Most probably all the turbines have the same problem that is why it has been closed down completely. It had to be Joe Mizzi for the truth to come out in the open.
Eddy Privitera
Oct 31st 2012, 08:42
Paul Zammit: But every time Mr. Mizzi reveals something, time proves he was right !
Anthony Scicluna
Oct 31st 2012, 08:58
I wonder whether Mr Zammit is in the wrong business then. He should either quit and become a full time gambler or be employed as the resident oracle. To you, Eddy, Labour is always right and PN is always wrong. One wonders how you coped with blatant transgressions of democracy in Mintoff's heyday. Do your morals and sense of justice ever prevail to yield a consistent and realistic view point?
Lawrence Fenech
Oct 31st 2012, 09:27
@Eddy.
Right, Joe Mizzi is dedicated to his job and his constituents.
Alfred Vassallo
Oct 31st 2012, 08:33
Well.... seemingly being so an expert yourself on diesel engines, why don't you enlighten us what constitutes a diesel engine....unless of coarse you don't believe that diesel engines have cylinder heads or that a condenser unit is not used in a steam generated system.
Paul Ellul
Oct 31st 2012, 08:28
This is directed to the management at BWSC. We have paid most of the €157M price tag.
Tax payers demand a real (read as honest) picture of the present situation in detail.
What are your plans and what is the time line? Paying customers deserve to be treated properly. We know our rights and the silence is unacceptable. This is an EU Country. Give us the facts.
j brincat
Oct 31st 2012, 08:24
@Paul Zammit
"well ... I'd rather have Mr. Joe Mizzi quote his sources. I am somewhat convinced he doesn't even have a clue of what a diesel engine is let alone its problems"
Really? How much do you know about engines?
The last time that Hon Mizzi spoke he was 100% correct even though the government tried to give a different impression!
(jb)
Paul Zammit
Oct 31st 2012, 13:12
unlike you and Mr. Mizzi, I tend not to blatter about stuff I am not competent in. Up to u to reach conclusions.
Paul Zammit
Oct 31st 2012, 07:32
well ... I'd rather have Mr. Joe Mizzi quote his sources. I am somewhat convinced he doesn't even have a clue of what a diesel engine is let alone its problems.
Alfred Vassallo
Oct 31st 2012, 11:16
Well.... seemingly being so an expert yourself on diesel engines, why don't you enlighten us what constitutes a diesel engine....unless of coarse you don't believe that diesel engines have cylinder heads or that a condenser unit is not used in a steam generated system.
Paul Zammit
Oct 31st 2012, 13:50
@Vassallo
and why should I enlight you? Wouldn't it all be a huge waste of my time and sweat? Look up a course somewhere. I could even suggest some literature if u like.
Alfred Vassallo
Oct 31st 2012, 15:47
@Zammit.
And in the same vein Why should Mr. Mizzi enlighten you of his sources? Wouldn't it all be MORE off a huge waste of his time and sweat? I would perhaps recommend that you go ''to wherever you normally go to have your RELIABLE sources''
Edward Mallia
Oct 31st 2012, 01:41
Are cylinder head faults due to type of fuel used? HFO must stress the engines more than gasoil; maintenance was said to cost double for former. Fenech recently "boasted" two engines were using gasoil. Was HFO use giving trouble?. Bicarbonate dust escape points to HFO abatement problems. Capacity margin needed as in practice one or more units are down for maintenance at any one time.
Joseph Micallef
Oct 31st 2012, 00:47
If this is true... and I believe Mr. Joe Mizzi since he has a track record in saying the truth, it's just a SHAME on GonziPN!!!
Tonio Bugeja
Oct 30th 2012, 23:25
Din inhadmet b` accessorji mahduma fl-asia mixtrija bis soldi jew? nahseb ahjar nghafsu fuq l-interconnector u induru dawra ma tal-Marsa.... ghada l-anqas bdiet tahdem.... insomma mhux prototype din sur mizzi? issa noqghodu nillapazzaw forsi tigi tahdem xi darba....
Julian Borg
Oct 30th 2012, 22:17
Seems Joe Mizzi has some very loyal Labour engineers at Enemalta. So wonderful to see such loyalty.
Julio CARUANA
Oct 31st 2012, 08:58
There's no other way to be heard in Malta. It's iether this and hope that the government will eventually tackle the problem which he won't cause he would leave the mishaps to the next in line. Or if not this way wait until we would have a total blackout and only god knows when we would have the electricity back......it is quite an important issue i assuse, and all that money wasted....fishy fishy
Julio CARUANA
Oct 31st 2012, 09:00
and than we wouldn't know of this and you wouldn't be the critic of the critic and me yours and we would be living a happy life!! without knowing......yeah right sarcasim is nice!!!
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Oct 30th 2012, 22:15
If Joe Mizzi is correct this is a whole litany of faults not expected in brand new equipment. Yes there is always a snag list to remedy in acceptance testing and commissioning but such faults should be minor ones.Anyone who understands major projects will tell you that at this final stage it is essential to engage independent professional consultants to provide a true independent certification
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