New PV scheme will be 'biggest ever'
The government is awaiting clearance from the European Commission to launch the biggest ever local scheme to promote the use of photovoltaic units, Resources Minister George Pullicino said this afternoon.
Speaking at the launching of the government's energy policy, Mr Pullicino said the new scheme would feature more than €17m in subsidies on the purchase of PV units to the domestic sector.
More than 7,000 families are expected to benefit.
The new energy policy places a strong accent on diversification of energy sources including possible investment in a gas pipeline link with mainland Europe. A tender for a feasibility study of such a pipeline will be issued shortly.
The study alone will cost €1 million.
The new Energy policy, which will be revised every three years, is based on five main pillars: efficiency and affordability; security of supply, diversification, flexibility and sustainability.
Mr Pullicino said that during the past years the government brought about a culture change with regard to energy in Malta, where the public now much more conscious on the way it used energy.
Asked whether this policy would also aim at reducing energy prices, he said that this had to be one by lowering consumption levels while also investing in alternative sources so that the island did not remain dependent on oil.
The document can be seen at www.mrra.gov.mt
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Joseph Sultana
Jan 7th, 09:17
PLS MR.PULLICINO CAN YOU TELL US WHEN THE GRANT IS GOING TO BE OUT? I AM INTERESTED TO INVEST IN A SYSTEM
Eddy Privitera
Dec 18th 2012, 13:14
Ministru, issa trad wisq biex tippruvaw tghamu n-nies. Kellkhom zmien bizzejjed. Huwa inthom tikkritikaw lil Dr- Sant meta kull ma kellu zmien 22 xahar , tippretendu li l-polu jghidilkhom prosit ghax taghmlu xi haga META DIGA WAQA L-GVERN ?!
Joe M Borg
Dec 18th 2012, 18:25
Eddy, you have been sleeping SINCE 2007! This is the SECOND scheme, like the other launched way back in 2007! Thousands of PV panels are fitted on rooftops, which you can verufy for yourself, if you have the time to stop moaning! Yoy missed the fun. But don't worry, thousands others didn't. I admit, Sant, in ONLY 22 months introduced CET and 33 other taxes. That's a lot of work!
William Zammit
Dec 18th 2012, 13:03
Thanks to MEPA's policy of granting building permits to huge (and unsaleable) blocks in areas previously occupied by terraced houses my property has been deprived of direct sunlight and hence of any chance of installing PV systems.
Of course, this is not just me. Hundreds of families are in the same predicament. That should make the vote-hunters think twice before knocking on our door!
Joseph Borg
Dec 18th 2012, 08:42
How can a family invest in solar panels when maltese prices are almost double that those in Europe.
In UK, a total of 8 solar panels with a total generation of 2 kW would typically be about £3,995 (5,000 Euros) and includes equipment, installation and connection to the mains. How come, in Malta, the same amount is quoted after reducing the government grant? It smells bad indeed!!
Godfrey Formosa
Dec 18th 2012, 11:41
You are not informed right 2.24 Kw peak (8 panels @ 280 watts) it's Euro 4700 ( all inclusive ) excluding Any Rebate. With same proportion 2 Kw =Euro 4196 = 16% cheaper from your price.
P. Zammit
Dec 19th 2012, 01:34
are there panels which give 280w ? .. i though the best efficiency ones give around 230w
John Pace
Dec 18th 2012, 08:33
A very detailed study was made in 2003 by the Italian firm SNAM on the feasibiliity of a gas pipeline to supply the power stations. This was abandoned when Austin Gatt replaced Josef Bonnici as minister and SNAM did not bother to tender for a gas pipeline when Enemalta later issued a preliminary tender. Unless there is political will the million euros study is money down the drain.
C Cassar
Dec 18th 2012, 02:08
Great innovative scheme. Unfortunate waste on most Maltese who expect to save/make a number of Euros within the first 3 years. this is a long term investment that's primarily aimed at those who understand the long term benefits to the environment. Alas, this excludes most Maltese who have no culture of looking at long term investments that aren't only involved with making money.
Godfrey Formosa
Dec 18th 2012, 11:44
With today's prices and with Gov Rebate = Payback less than 4 years.
A. Sultana
Dec 17th 2012, 22:56
I bet labour diehards who voted NO will not apply for such schemes as it goes against their beliefs...
Joseph Faure
Dec 20th 2012, 10:29
Most of those opting for these schemes are taking loans to cover these expenses. Are they considering the repayments , interests and in the meantime they are still paying electricty/ water meter rents an consumption.
Does this make sense or I am a bit mistaken ?
Victor Calleja
Dec 17th 2012, 20:27
Is that all?
Is this the energy policy?
What about us the heavily burdened consumers?
Too little too late now.
Michael Campbell
Dec 17th 2012, 19:27
There exists a gas pipeline between Tunisia and Sicily already. Save us all a million of our hard earned euros and just go ahead and do it. You don't need to he a rocket scientist or a million euros to work out existing consumption along with electricity generation consuption and existing cost of transfer of gas. Stop wasting money on consultants and studies and actually do your job.
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 18:20
It's very clear that the most common ailment among Pl apologists is neck pain! This prevents them from looking up and seeing the thousands of PV panels ALREADY installed! This scheme is NOT launched on election eve. Many of these panels have been installed since 2007-8. PL fans who watch too much Onetv missed them, obviously. They also missed the opportunity of getting one, thanks to Onetv.
Salvu Attard
Dec 17th 2012, 20:15
@sur Borg jien investejt fil panelli u Alla jbierek minn kemm ilhom ghandi l Arms ghada qatt ma bghatitli kont allavolja xbajt nibghat emails u naccertak li l kont tieghi mhux zero.
David Magro
Dec 18th 2012, 06:42
Mr.borg, did mr.pullicino had to wait on the eve of election to break such news? What about all studies on wind farms and other alternative energy for our power station? Pullicino wants to abdicate from his responsibility and shove all on individualism. He should answer for the auditors report findings if he is accountable after all!
Jimmy Magro
Dec 17th 2012, 18:09
The Commission against Corruption and the Auditor General must investigate the following two contradictory statements:
1. A tender for a feasibility study of such a pipeline will be issued shortly.
2. The study alone will cost €1 million.
How come the Minister already knows the cost of the study if a tender will be issued shortly?
jesmond zammit
Dec 17th 2012, 18:05
minhabba l arms jien ili 5 xhur bla kont .....dal milied mhux se nonfoq centezmu ...dik politika tajba , kif ma jisthix jerga jkun kandidat.
Mr David Ganado
Dec 17th 2012, 18:31
All you need to do is take your own reading, go on the smartutilites website and calculate your own bill. Once you know what you owe ARMS, you can put the money aside till the bill arrives or just pay ARMS on account. Is it that difficult?
Stop complaining and do something about it!
James Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 20:41
trid tkun ma tipjanax biex f'hames xhur ma warrabt xejn!!!
imbghad inwahhlu fl'arms ...jew hsibt li forsi qed jaghtu l-eletriku b'xejn ....Muscat ghadu mhux fil gvern ta!!!
Jay Oatmon
Dec 17th 2012, 18:01
All these government schemes seem to be very obscure - why are they nor spelled out step by step online?
For example if you want to install photovoltaic cells what steps do you take to ensure you get the rebate/discount etc?
C Sant
Dec 17th 2012, 18:16
I found it very easy. Find your preferred supplier, fill out form including a proforma invoice, send it or take it to MRA together with site photos. Within a couple of weeks received confirmation that my application was accepted, contacted supplier, installed system, supplier identified engineer certified system, filled new form with installation photo and sent to MRA. Rebate in a month.
Joseph N. Attard
Dec 17th 2012, 17:58
PV panels are ruining many a hitherto pleasant skyline. Come and see for yourselves at such places as Attard. Reasonable but strict guidelines must be established and installers must adhere to them against stiff penalties.
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 18:09
True Joseph, but you must agree that it is for a very positive cause! Perhaps local councils can take the bull by the horn here. They can 'offer' an area to create mini solar farms and get their locals to invest in them getting back money according to their investment. That would be one way to get the systems off the roofs and preserve the skyline.
Mr Gabriel Grech
Dec 17th 2012, 22:03
Isn't the skyline in Attard already ruined by the blocks of flats sprouting like wild fungi?
Saviour Cachia
Dec 17th 2012, 17:29
ha, ha, Christmas truce during the festive season. Ministers giving press conferences, reported on papers,television, radio. Ministers do not fall under the truce? JM you must have had your legs pulled by LG and the Gonzi PN will linger on to March 9th. Are Opposition MP's entitled to organise press conferences?
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 18:13
Yes, and Onetv is broadcasting only cartoons, but nothing relating to politics.
Mr Andre Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:28
In just 2 years time the new pv's will be available in the market. They have 4 times the efficiency of the current PV's. Let me put this black on white: In 2 years time we will be able to harvest 4 times more the amount of electricity from the same size of today's pv's. Why rush now???
John Zammit
Dec 17th 2012, 21:05
there were plans and the Minister knows about them Further details later
P. Zammit
Dec 19th 2012, 01:36
Which new technology do you refer to ?
John Zammit
Dec 17th 2012, 17:07
Wake up Minister Pullicino about the gas pipeline link with mainland Europe. This should have been done in the year 2000 at least
Julian Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:58
Brilliant Watson! And where would we get €250 million to find the pipeline from? Remember the MLP fighting tooth and nail to keep us out of the EU because we would only get Lm1.5million?? Now maybe, just maybe, many of you will start to understand why the EU was so important to us! And how wrong the MLP were to oppose it!
Richard Caruana
Dec 17th 2012, 18:00
For the link to be made in 2000 it would have required the bright Labour administration of 1996-98 to dream about it, plan it and get finance for it.
The last part would have been a real pain, with Svizzera fil-Mediterran, or miljun u nofs kontanti!
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 18:29
John, the link can be connected ONLY to Sicily, NOT Switzerland. MLP live in the ICE AGE, because they froze the wages, and froze the EU application. No wonder Sant preferred Switzerland! It's much colder there!
Tania Farrugia
Dec 17th 2012, 17:02
Can we have a breakdown of the €1 million 'study'??
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 18:30
The PL got a 'breakdown' when they saw this, another generous offer by PN, like the other launched since 2007-8. We don't need another 'breakdown'!
j brincat
Dec 17th 2012, 16:20
@Alex Ellul
"sour grapes"
You have mistaken the vegetable!
You must have meant - "the dangled carrot" put in front of the electorate BEFORE any election by successive PN governments!!!!
(jb)
Reuben D. Spiteri
Dec 17th 2012, 16:58
Din mhux l-ewwel skema ghal appliances li jiggeneraw energija mix-xemx. Ilhom jaghmlu wahda ta' l-inqas ghal 3 snin wara xulxin. Nispera li ma nsejthomx ukoll.
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:28
J Brincat, obviously One TV NEVER mentioned the thousands who benefited from PAST (starting 2007) schemes, by which government (PN, don't forget), subsidised solar water heaters, PV panels, wind turbines, and double glazing, thanks to EU funding. This would have been IMPOSSIBLE to get from SWITZERLAND! Get it? You can keep your carrots! A look at the rooftops would have given you the answer!
ANTHONY PAVIA
Dec 17th 2012, 16:11
Rather very late in the day but better late than never. However, the Government must find a way for the benefit to pass directly to the consumer, and not the supplier. It is obvious suppliers would increase their prices or hold on to high prices. Suppliers would benefit anyway, because there would be increased business. Probably an increased feed in tariff (or similar) would be more productive.
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:31
Anthony, YOU are rather late, as these schemes have been going since 2007, and thousands of PV panels, solar water heaters, etc are installed today, thanks to gov. subsidy, and EU funding. Insyead of watching OneTV, go on your roof, and take a look for yourself. You will be amazed. You see, you learn more looking from your roof, than watching OneTV.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Dec 17th 2012, 18:37
How I hate blinkered commentators! I was commenting positively on the PV scheme that might be put in place after an absence of 2/3 years.
A. V. Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 15:29
So we started this legislature with Energy Saving Bulbs, continued with Heavy Fuel Oil and maybe there is the possibility of a gas pipeline. How's that for an Energy Plan!!!!!
Reuben D. Spiteri
Dec 17th 2012, 16:28
Well for a start it's better than when MLP raised utility tariffs while the price of oil was abysmally low.
But then again who want to complain will find something to complain about whether it's a good or bad thing.
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:33
Most of this funding is coming from the EU. With Switzerland in the Med, it would have come from YOUR POCKET!
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 15:04
Spending Euro 80 million + on such a scheme rather on a new parliament building would have silenced the critics and sent a clear sign to the EU that Malta aims to be at the forefront of clean energy not lagging behind like we are now. These kind of initiative are ALWAYS welcome and should be given priority ALWAYS!
J Cauchi
Dec 17th 2012, 15:04
I thought that George Pullicino was going to explain how the tender worth 1 million euros was raised to 29 million euros. but nothing of that sort happened. The people have to wait until the explaination wouldbe forthcoming; perhapsd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr J Xerri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:03
A subtle way to make propaganda but at the same time be within the agreement of no party electoral propaganda which is supposed to begin to-day and end on the 6th January.
Luke Bonnici
Dec 17th 2012, 15:16
what a broken record ... your comment is redundant! Even common sense would suggest that the election has nothing to do with this. Policy takes time to develop and write. Also from what I could understand in this brief article the scheme is only being launched ... no one has received the subsidies yet!! Also I'm more than 100% sure this isn't the first such scheme.
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:35
J Xerri, this is a REPEAT of the scheme started in 2007. It was so 'subtle', that if you take a look from your rooftop, you will see thousands of panels all around. You probably missed seeing them, because you spend too much time watching OneTV.
Mr J Xerri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:01
A subtle way to make propaganda but at the same time be within the agreement of no party electoral propaganda which is supposed to begin to-day and end on the 6th January.
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 17th 2012, 15:00
George Pullicino WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THOUE LAST 5 YEARS ??
Joseph John Camilleri
Dec 17th 2012, 15:42
Were you sound asleep these LAST 5 YEARS ?
Alex Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 15:47
Joseph Brincat, where have you been? Cant you see that during the last 5 years many roofs have been covered with PV's and SWH's. open your eyes and you will see....blinkers
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:36
Where have PL been these last 15 years? Ah, yes, sitting on the wall, criticising and moaning.
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 17th 2012, 18:30
One thing for sure Joseph, he's been somewhere different from where you have been, if you are not aware of the many projects done by his ministry! I suppose you are one of bubble inhabitants.
James Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 20:44
if anything there have been incentives for solar panels practically every year
...dejjem bl'istess diska ...kwazi kull budget kellu din l-iskema!!!
pat muscat
Dec 17th 2012, 14:56
Fl-ahhar gimghat ta l-elezzjoni GonziPN vera qed iwieghed l-ilma jizfen, ghax bhal ma jghid l-Inglizi 'today cash' tomorrow free'!
Tonio Bone
Dec 17th 2012, 16:27
Always better than making promises you do not even know how you are going to keep! Elections or no elections, it is a initiative that everyone, Labourites included, will benefit from! Btw, the election is almost 3 months away and the country cannot stop and wait until JM gets in the hotseat, assuming he will land the hotseat of course!
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:39
Pat, it seems you were sleeping during the last 5 years! It's NOT in the last week that this is being done. Such schemes have existed since 2007! A simple look at rooftops will give you the answerr you need, if you have the time to count ALL the PV panels. 'Ilma jizfen' was promised by Joseph, although Anglu told us that it will be dearer! Just watch www.waltzingwaters.com
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 17th 2012, 18:33
Muscat the bubble inhabitant. I see it's quite hermetically sealed!
pat muscat
Dec 17th 2012, 20:08
Mr Joe M Borg.
I happen to go for walks at Ahrax Point with my husband, and for the last 4 years I've seen the antenna there measuring the Beaufort scale...with an idle watchman in attendance. One of the hoteliers nearby told me that it's just a PR display: this was three or four years ago! They are still measuring! My 45 year old Form II Geography book contains all the answers!
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 18th 2012, 08:13
Hi Pat now I understand why you vote PL. Like you books your preferred sources are expired politicians!
j brincat
Dec 17th 2012, 14:51
"Speaking at the launching....more than €17m in subsidies on the purchase of PV units to the domestic sector"
And I ask the usual question that Toppled GonziPN likes to ask:
FROM were is the money coming?
Has this been factored in the Budget that saw the government tumbling down i.e. it never got through (today week)!
If not then, IMO, it's ALL pre-election propaganda!
(jb)
Alex Ellul
Dec 17th 2012, 15:47
sour grapes
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:42
J Brincat. From the EU, like the previous scheme of 2007. Switzerland is no great help in such schemes. It's NOT pre-election propaganda, since it was launched in 2007. You watch too much Onetv! Spend a few minutes on the foor, and try to count the thousands of PV panels, some were there since 2007. Onetv blinded you!
C Sant
Dec 17th 2012, 18:20
This is an ERDF project that was applied for last May, 2012. It has to pass through the usual EU process. Has nothing to with Budget! Why are so many here so blinded by politics!
j brincat
Dec 17th 2012, 14:45
They told us that the election campaign would start on 7th January!!!
But it was more than obvious THAT it would not be so.
There's no stopping the election fever and it will continue until 9th March!
Dr Franco was right again!!!!
(jb)
Mario Scicluna
Dec 17th 2012, 14:45
''The study alone will cost €1 million.''
Onor. Pullicino, mhux ser tispicca titla €29 million hux? ooopppssss
X'fernezija qabdithom ta' GonziPN! Ministri, Segretarji Parlamentari, esponenti PN, kulhadd jimbotta u jivvinta halli jirbah 'exposure' u 'airtime' kemm jistgha u eventwalment jidher fuq PBS News(li ovvjament jaghti bil-qalb kollha). Qtugh ta' zigarelli, kxif ta' lapidi..
Dilindo W Agius
Dec 17th 2012, 14:43
Ahdem George ha jgawdu tal-labour...................
D Mifsud
Dec 17th 2012, 14:42
launching an Energy Policy at the end of legistalure!....how low can the PN keep going. The Govt should have had this policy years ago
E Louis
Dec 17th 2012, 15:33
what do you expect the government to do... stop and stare at one another till election day... and for your information, the PV schemes policy has been issued and many have benefited form it in the past . but you interpret anything PN does, whilst in government, political propaganda for votes... Oh and by the way... were it for labour, we would never have had the funds from EU...
D Mifsud
Dec 17th 2012, 17:37
no I expect at least a Government to have an Energy Policy at the start of the legislature not leaving it till the end to commission a power station extension with all the problems, power cuts and fines associated with its management by crisis policy
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:48
D Mifsud. The energy policy WAS LAUNCHED in 2007, but you were snoring. PV panels have been fitted by the thousand, and THIS you can verify yourself, if, instead of watching Onetv, you go upstairs and count the panels on the roofs. So, you see, the gov. has HAD 'THIS POLICY YEARS AGO'. Onetv blinded you. Wake up to the truth!
Mr Duncan Scerri
Dec 17th 2012, 14:40
Err...what happened to "no electioneering"?
Did somebody forget to tell the obese one?
Joe M Borg
Dec 17th 2012, 17:53
Duncan, you can refrain from profitting from this scheme, if that will please PL, but you cannot stop other, intelligent Maltese from profiting themselves! Thousands have ALREADY profitted from such schemes FROM 2007, as you can check for yourself by glancing at the rooftops around you. Watching Onetv ONLY often hinders people from noticing such beneficial schemes, as they are not advertised.
Please choose the reason of your report below: