Private operators have cast doubts on the government's plans to base its renewable energy targets on wind farms, according to Labour Environment spokesman Leo Brincat.
Addressing a press conference this afternoon, Mr Brincat said the government was only talking about solar farms (to harvest energy from the sun) because there seemed to be a realization that the proposed offshore wind farm at Mellieha was unfeasible.
"Industry operators have privately expressed doubts on the government's emphasis on wind power to reach EU renewable energy targets," Mr Brincat said.
Studies are still being made to assess the viability of the offshore wind farm, without which two smaller onshore wind farms will not be viable.
Quoting from official documents, Mr Brincat said solar energy had barely featured in the government's overall strategy to generate at least 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
"My suspicion is that the renewable targets were not met last year and are unlikely to be met this year... Malta is doomed to languish in the EU's relegation zone of renewable energy targets," he said.
He also criticized the Government for not yet having a national energy policy.
Solar farms were mentioned by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi recently as a solution for those who could not put up solar panels at their house. He said people, especially those who live in flats, will be encouraged to invest in a communal farm and benefit from electricity generation.
Describing solar farms as "the flavour of the week", Mr Brincat questioned the Government's change of heart on solar energy, which was not mentioned in the Nationalist Party's 2008 manifesto.
He said a Labour government will seek expert advice on whether the current energy mix proposed by the Government was adequate to generate the required 10 per cent.
"We will reset the priorities accordingly," he said, refuting criticism that the Labour Party's policy to lower electricity rates would not encourage investment in alternative energy.
The party has insisted that lowering utility bills was feasible by going for different technologies. One of the solutions that has been mentioned is carbon capture, proposed by Norwegian company Sargas.
When asked about the options, Mr Brincat said he preferred to talk about solutions rather than individual companies. "It would be unfair to speak of just one company because we cannot deal with the first company that comes to us. There will have to be a transparent process but we do meet people in the industry who come up to us with ideas."
Mr Brincat said the Labour Party would reveal its plans for the energy sector when the election campaign kicks off but derided the Government for procrastinating on a national energy policy.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com