The Marsa incinerator was out of order again a few hours last week after repairs were carried out, according to Labour’s environment spokesman Leo Brincat.
As he called on the Government to order an independent audit of the incinerator’s operations, the Labour MP said the repairs were not planned maintenance but forced stoppages due to technical failures.
The Resources and Rural Affairs Minister said the incinerator was not working on Tuesday because experts were carrying out a technical inspection.
The ministry said Mr Brincat was hinging his criticism on a technical matter because he could no longer claim that the incinerator was negatively impacting the environment.
It said a technical inspection had confirmed that a small part of the refractory had sustained damage. This part operates in temperatures of between 800°C and 1,000°C.
It said the plant is cooling so the refractory can be repaired.