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Updated: Energy plan: PN calls on Labour to publish documents, raises questions

(Adds PL's reply)

The Nationalist Party has called on Labour to publish documents and information related to its proposals on energy tariffs.

In a statement shortly after Labour unveiled its proposals, the PN  called on Labour to publish the documents related to its proposals, including documents by its consultants.

It also asked the party to publish the proposals received from private companies and contractors, the dates of meetings held with such companies and private contractors and the details of talks which, it said, had been referred to by Dr Muscat as a ‘done deal’.

The PN also asked whether any company or person whom the PL had met had made a donation to the PL or any of its officials or activists.

In a reply this afternoon, the PL said GonziPN was shocked because it did not understand that those who worked seriously could give families cheaper bills and cleaner air.

It said in a statement that Dr Gonzi had no credibility at all in the sector.

It bough a BWSC power station operated by polluting heavy fuel oil for €200 million, it found a contractor which financed the party from the Yellow Pages, a person was given €4 million in commission, businesses in Malta had the second highest bills in Europe and Maltese families had the third highest.

Labour said that the PN had made the country dependent on oil for the generation of electricity, Malta was on the lowest rung of the ladder in renewable energy generation and GonziPN's bad decisions put Enemalta on the edge on a cliff.

Moreover, these decisions would lead to even higher bills should the PN be returned to power, Labour warned.

Could GonziPN now say when, how and by how much it would increase bills, the PL asked.

AD REACTION

In its reaction, Alternattiva Demokratika said various aspects of Labour's energy plans were welcome at first glance while others can be problematic.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said that the proposed shift from heavy fuel oil to gas was welcome.

This meant that there was cross-party consensus on a shift to cleaner energy after years of neglect in Malta's energy sector.

The importance given to renewable energy is also welcome, especially since Malta was at the bottom of the list in the EU on usage of such energy.

Labour, however, had to be clearer in its proposals. What seemed to be a progressive tariff structure was also welcome, as this could discourage waste, though this structure had to be studied in more detail.

AD said that Labour was, however, being too optimistic on the price of gas.

“Like other fossil fuels, including heavy fuel oil, its price is likely to increase in the years to come, due to increase in global demand and limited supply.

“As regards water tariffs, what is needed is to ensure that theft from boreholes is stopped, as this is creating problems of unsustainability which will result in price increases.”

AD said that its energy policy stressed that the state should have a leading role in the sector, in massive investment in renewables; and in penalising waste while subsidising basic use of energy.

AD said it will be elaborating its position on Thursday.

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C Busuttil

Jan 8th, 22:36

By how much Dr. Gonzi would increase the tariffs if elected, the PN did it 2004 and 2008?

I am a nationalist more than ever you will dream to be, but this time I will not go to vote and yes labour for once came out with a serious proposal audited by one of the most serious companies in europe not from yellow pages. Indeed they have made remarkable progress!!!! while the PN is in a free fall

Joseph Sammut

Jan 9th, 07:36

Does Gonzi think so? Have you ased the question?

Alan Xuereb

Jan 8th, 21:21

Mhux il lejber ha jirbah.....dawk il banners kollha!!!!!! U dak il kliem sabieh!

Paul@ Micallef

Jan 9th, 00:43

You are far away from the truth in this Gianninu. The PN Government of the 60's bought the distillers and the water produced from these was really expensive as much as producing whiskey. It was the Labour Government of the 70's that replaced these with reverse osmosis plants.

Charles Buhagiar

Jan 9th, 15:14

Sur Pace Asciak, zomm f'mohhok li il-probabbilta hi li jekk jghola l-gas inkun ghola b'rata akbar il-HFO u allura il-vantagg hemm se jibqa

Joseph Mifsud

Jan 8th, 19:45

I totally agree with you Joseph that the PN sees the Maltese as their colonial subjects.

Anthony Scicluna

Jan 8th, 20:14

True. The PN closed the drydocks because Chinese ship building has not destroyed the world market.
The reverse osmosis plant, the new airport, the freeport were all PN initiatives. You really need to stop watching SuperOne

Andrew Siad

Jan 8th, 18:40

il polplu malti u ghawdxi ma halla l hadd ghajr lil gonzipn jidhaq bina ghal dawn l ahhar 5 snin!!

M Cutajar

Jan 8th, 19:00

Sewwa qed tghid Sur Aquilina. Tajjeb hafna li nhaddmu mohhna sew biex naraw li ghall-hames snin li gejjin ikollna gvern li veru jrid gid lil Malta kollha. F'kelma wahda l-partit Laburista mmexxi tant tajjeb minn Dr Joseph Muscat u t-team kollu tieghu.

Carmelo Sammut

Jan 8th, 19:31

Qed inhoss li Gozni jinzab naqra fil problemi kbar wara li Pl beda juri b certu serjeta u ghaqal b dak li se iwettaq fil pajjiz

Ex Pn Voter

No Franco No Vote

Edward Borg

Jan 8th, 17:44

Good one se namel bhalek

L Zammit

Jan 8th, 17:31

MLP NEVER did.

Michael Magri

Jan 8th, 17:35

Mr Scicluna.. If you are sitting on a golden egg, thus happy with your utility bills, GOOD FOR YOU Guy. But let me assure you, that 90% of the Population and Businesses ARE ABSOLUTELY... NOTTTTT..

Well Done Dr Muscat...

Anthony Scicluna

Jan 8th, 18:54

Mr Magri, The statement made by Dr Muscat is not true. Second, the project is untenable for two reasons: there is no statement as to "how" private industry will participate in the venture. No private investment will guarantee a price for ten years. It is monopolistic: imagine that in 3 years time the price falls by 60%. Wouldn't you want to gain the add saving? Or are you happy to pay more?

Edward Borg

Jan 8th, 17:42

Fuq hekk biss ha tibbaza il vot tieghek? prosit kemm tiddeciedi Malajr

Wenzu Brown

Jan 9th, 07:58

Jekk joghgbok ippublika il workings u l istudji ghax ma rajthomx. Imbghad nkun nista nikkonvinci ruhi.

Edward Borg

Jan 8th, 17:43

In Super 1 biss tara siehbi?

anthony dimech

Jan 8th, 18:14

ohra bhal tal vat din tarcisju il lejburist xorta ghad fadalu nies b mentalita fqira il lejber

Josephine Tanti

Jan 8th, 16:47

I agree with you Mr. Bonett. The government voted in by gerrymandering of districts from 82 - 87 was detrimental to Malta. Nationalist government did very well for Malta in the first 10 years but power inevitably corrupts and so the PN has become the new devil. I honestly believe it's time for a change and that Dr. Muscat is showing the right approach and surrounding himself with the right people

Ian Psaila

Jan 8th, 16:39

Lol!!!

Ahjar ma nghid xej!

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 17:27

@Ian: very ahjar

Wenzu Brown

Jan 9th, 07:59

Anki is CET kienu proposti kredibli. X'Gara??? U hekk ser jerga jigri.

anthony dimech

Jan 8th, 18:16

they will give you a job with pioneri

Ian Psaila

Jan 8th, 16:41

It's obvious no that a is a contract or agreement is ready..it explains the sudden boost of money labour has for its electoral campaign

Alfred Vassallo

Jan 8th, 16:34

Me thinks it's better if people scrutinise pn manifest because they have offered zilch except more of the same which as everybody knows amounted only to a record DEPT. Now that's something to scrutinize very, very closely.

A Abela

Jan 8th, 16:40

If lejber wanted its proposal not closely scrutinised it would have gone public two weeks before 9 march not 9 weeks. Elementary Watson

Paul@ Micallef

Jan 8th, 17:11

Antoine Vella this is the longest electoral campaign since 1987 and the PL made the energy plans public on the second day of the campaign. Your comments are like does of the PN - defensive. The Partit Laburista have put the Nationalist Party on the defence from the minute after midnight of Monday.

Paul@ Micallef

Jan 8th, 17:19

After reading again your entry it came to my mind that in the first sentence you said that the PL proposals will be scrutinised very very closely, and in the second sentence you said that it is a short campaign so that people would'nt have time to judge. You are confirming that by your inconsistencies you are in a grade A panic mental condition.

Simon spiteri

Jan 8th, 16:21

You seem to have understood the proposal very well mate please do share with us you wisdom

Ian Psaila

Jan 8th, 16:43

I think we will be breathless when we get to know that it's all a guff but then it will be too late!

L Zammit

Jan 8th, 17:43

keep on dreaming

anthony dimech

Jan 8th, 18:20

because its like vat doreen last time they told you to scrap the cash registers this time you can scrap the meter

joanna farrugia

Jan 8th, 16:18

fil biza biss mohhkom.mela nsejt meta 2008 bat ittra lil haddiema ta tarzna u l gonzipn hareg u qal li mhux vera ha jitilfu posthom il haddiema.ezatt dik kienet il verita hux?mela issa ax il pl hareg bil proposta qed tbezzaw lil haddiem.taghkom fejnhom?

Alfred Vassallo

Jan 8th, 16:29

Taf min meshom qaddu attenti dawk il haddiema kolla li Gonzi baghtilom id-dar fuljett li ix-xoghol taghhom kien garrantit u meta rega teghla fil gvern irrangom ghal FRISK bhall perezempju il haddiema tal Drydocks , l-airMalta etc et.c.

Jesmond Chetcuti

Jan 8th, 16:51

can you be anymore hypocryte Twan...!! so now, to subsidize a loss making company is ok? restructuring for Maltacom, Airmalta and most of all Dockyard was ok, but not for Enemalta? workers from all these companies managed to be absorbed by the private sector , why cannot be the same for the Enemalta employees?...after all the private company will require experienced local workers...

Eddy Privitera

Jan 8th, 16:54

twanny birg: Ma tisthix tghid lill-haddiema tal-Enemalta dan il-kliem ? Ma tafx min dahaq b'tant eluf ta' haddiema wara li kien bghatilhom ittra ffirmata li l-impjieg taghhom kien assigurat ? Kien GONZI . qablu ghamel l-istess Eddie Fenech Adami !

Pippo de Marco

Jan 8th, 16:08

Don't expect GonziPN to publish its documents. It wouldn't dare wash its laundry in public.

Anthony Scicluna

Jan 8th, 15:51

The question is not whether it will. The issue is how and on what basis will private investors guarantee the price of a commodity for ten years. It is INSANE business practice simply because there are no guarantees with respect to gas price fluctuations. It is not even a matter of partisan politics. It's money

Mr G Naudi

Jan 8th, 15:56

I am quite a neutral person but please get your facts right before writing something. The last government did not promise the EU it will increase the water & electricity tariffs. It was the EU who suggested this.

L Zammit

Jan 8th, 17:48

@ G. Naudi: Suppost drajthom lil dawn tal-PL. Dawn champions tal-gideb – dejjem hekk kienu u hekk jibqghu.

Darren Attard Bonnici

Jan 8th, 15:33

same people that financed 500 euro a week raise...

Charles Tanti

Jan 8th, 15:44

mhux ahna cikku il poplu after all

A Abela

Jan 8th, 15:53

Yellow pages

anthony dimech

Jan 8th, 18:24

iva kien hemm ministru laburista imdahal ghax jekk ma tatiehx lart jaghadi triq minn go fija

George Calleja

Jan 8th, 15:11

That's the same answer Mintoff used to give in the 70's and 80's

O Ghigo

Jan 8th, 16:14

I'm quite sure it wasn't Gaddafi!

D Gatt

Jan 8th, 15:51

it shows...

Joseph Aquilina

Jan 8th, 15:32

@ Charles Debono, If you'r not one of those public sector workers that never go to their work place and get paid from our taxes for doing nothing I think yes you should stick to this government but if do your job well at work you might be more appriciated.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 15:55

Mela inti tibla kollox? M'ghandekx mohh biex tifforma opinjoni, thalli lill-partit jifformalek l-opinjoni tieghek?

Charles Buhagiar

Jan 8th, 16:08

Ghandek kull dritt taghzel ghall-ahjar tieghek Sur Debono! Jien u hafna ohra din id-darba se naghzlu ghall-ahjar taghna. Grazzi

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Jan 8th, 14:57

Have you been in touch with the private sector on this issue? Who have you spoken to? You sprout a lot of negative words but where's the substance or the evidence?

Mr Joe Micallef

Jan 8th, 15:06

Andrew Camilleri (unless there are agreeements underboard - which there obviously seem to exist) one needs to speak to no one to understand the stupidty of the plan in terms of cost (to the consumer) reductions.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 15:58

anke l-ohra, milli jkolla ttik!!!!

Mario Buhagiar

Jan 8th, 18:13

what about making wind plant on shore, like Maghtab, Kemmuna etc. They are near the sea and raised high enough from the ground level. Also, what about making a solar farm on the roof of mater dei, or university for example? I'm sure that if the money spent on that ridiculous theater or the new parliament, these projects could be easily done. Maghtab is already intoxicated so...

O Ghigo

Jan 8th, 16:18

Dear Mr. Spiteri Try to keep updated. The increase was revoked and they all had to repay the money back. Furthermore all ministers publish their financial accounts. Imagine asking you to do that!

R Axisa

Jan 8th, 15:00

mela l-kont tieghak ma giex 0 wara li wahhalt il-pannelli?

Mr Joe Micallef

Jan 8th, 15:01

You have been living in a bubble. The PN has been committed (depending on availabilty of EU funds) to gas for at least two years!

Joseph Aquilina

Jan 8th, 15:46

@ Joe Micallef, Sorry Joe But you are totally wrong obout your assumpion that the PN was for the last two years committed to GAS but all depended on availability of EU funds. We will never get EU funds for building a power station because in the EU the energy sector is private. We can only get funds for infrastrucure related like the power cable from Malta to Sicily.

Mr Joe Micallef

Jan 8th, 16:14

Joseph Aquilina who mentioned EU funds to build a gas power station. The only (well other than the millions in excess of the 1 million suggested by Cyprus Joe) EU funds we may get is for a gas pipeline.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 16:01

Oh how sweet, Henry just put Dr. Gonzi's mind at rest. There's a hole in the bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, a hole!!

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 16:04

Very intelligent question. Why don't you ask PN what they have done in the last 25 years? After all they are in government and not the opposition.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 16:07

and the one at Marsa just closed!! And you have shown yourself to be a diehard.

Joseph Sammut

Jan 8th, 16:10

You are doing exactly like Dr. Gonzi; being arrogant enough to ask "intelligent" questions when you and PN have a backlog of questions to answer, but chose to ignore all and sundry.

Joseph Borg

Jan 8th, 13:04

I just hope that after GonziPN goes home a serious investigation will tell us who got what in the BWSC bid.

Mario Ellul

Jan 8th, 13:10

Well said! This is pn.

GEORGE S DARMANIN

Jan 8th, 13:17

Of course we expect PL to publish. After all they say that they do things differently, that is, better, more seriously and more professional and transparent. Now PN is calling their bluff. Lets's see if LP actually bursts the PN bubble with credible replies which are to be measured by LP's own yardstick.

James Abela

Jan 8th, 13:26

Because like most of us, they want to know the facts. Is this something that can happen or is is just an empty promise that is not possible.

Joe Vella

Jan 8th, 13:45

A. Felix Busuttil, not only the Government published all studies carried out, but there were a number of public meetings that took place from tender and during the whole process. There is till today a committee set up which is includes the Local Councils concern to monitor to make sure targets in regards to environmental targets are met.

P. Ciantar

Jan 8th, 14:46

felix but the LP always spoke about trasparenza but I see non of it here

R Axisa

Jan 8th, 15:03

P. Ciantar - mela l-espressjoni "ta valur kummercjali" tghodd ghall-gvern biss!

Joseph Borg

Jan 8th, 12:58

Mela dawn il BWSC jew?

*Joseph Brincat

Jan 8th, 13:08

Angelo Vassallo HA HA HI they found it on the Yalow pages
you know what I mine HA HA HI

Guido Farrugia

Jan 8th, 13:09

Le, le Angelo,m;hemmx ghalfejn taghmel mistoqsijiet retorici, sabuh fil Yellow Pages.

Mario Ellul

Jan 8th, 13:11

Pl is not pn!

m. borg (slm)

Jan 8th, 13:21

Yes there is, a direct order for the enemalta CEOs to start preparing their explanations for the failed energy policies of the last 25 years.

Those found wanting would have to face the musoic accordingly to their amount of participation in ruining this very delicate industry and burdened the maltese people with the expenses of their follies.

N. Aquilina

Jan 8th, 13:33

Angelo, staqsi lil Kapo tieghek jippublika il kuntratt tal BWSC and then PL will follow ;)

Noel Mifsud

Jan 8th, 14:17

Angelo imissek staqsejt lil Austin Gatt u lis Sur Mizzi ghax is sur Mizzu bis sahha tal Yellow pages irnbexxilu idahhal xi 25 miljun comission. Kemm jien injurant ma nuzax il yellow pages tajjeb

A Abela

Jan 8th, 14:34

Fittex fil yellow pages u issib kollox Ang.

Edward Mallia

Jan 8th, 14:26

Min. Pullicino has just produced The National Energy Plan. A close reading of this plan will show: 1. It is in fact a collection of documents edited by some juvenile with a poor command of English and with limited editorial powers. 2. Use of past, present and future tenses is so mixed up that one cannot see what's coming or going. 3. Some actual deeds are clean contrary to Plan conclusions.

m. borg (slm)

Jan 8th, 13:23

You should have gone to the business breakfast or press conference and contradicted the plan.

joe micallef

Jan 8th, 13:48

Ha Ha Mr Zammit,
What's holding the Samba king Gonzi to publish the PN manifesto outright?
This way the PN takes the lead on PL!!
The PN is promising more of the same while hiding the Plain awful truth from the electorate
It is business as usual for the PN to treat the electorate '..ta' cuc..'
Trasparenza is one of his long forgotten PN pillars!

paul camilleri

Jan 8th, 14:00

not only that have we forgotten when Russia decided to stop their gas exports and countries like Poland France and even Italy were hard hit

daniel farrugia

Jan 8th, 14:42

who told you that he did not consult the private sector yet?????????????

Simon Scerri

Jan 8th, 13:10

mhix worthed tikkumentalkok....9th March PN WIN!!! thanks PL for your gimmicks!!!

Alex Mifsud

Jan 8th, 14:40

This is fact what people are commenting

Joseph Borg

Jan 8th, 12:50

The government slept over a pipeline proposal for a year or so, you know like they slept on the EU educational youth exchange programmes funds; and when they finally woke up the price was prohibitively high.

N. Aquilina

Jan 8th, 13:42

what about the transportation of toxic waste from the BWSC powerstation? Hsibt fiha din Sur Zammit, jew fejn jidhol il labour kollox hazin u fejn jidhol il PN kollox tajjeb?

Tony Borg

Jan 8th, 12:58

And recently an agreement with the gas delivery men was concluded. That has not been published either.

Mr Duncan Scerri

Jan 8th, 13:06

I'm sure it's a million times worse than that.

A Abela

Jan 8th, 14:28

Halliehom Eddy mintix tara li qed jahbtu ma xulxin. Hawwadhom Dr Muscat

Joseph Mifsud

Jan 8th, 13:17

If thats the case the goverment has to give a cost of living increase as it always does every year....surely more affordable if you have an efficient energy plan nationwide

Donna Parnis

Jan 8th, 13:09

lol well said Colin,

K. Vella II

Jan 8th, 13:28

Ġara l-istess fit-2008 bit-tnaqqis fir-rati tal-income tax.

N. Aquilina

Jan 8th, 13:39

Sour Grapes Mr. Borg?

Mr Hans Borg

Jan 8th, 14:08

@Twanny Borg

Fuq xiex qed titkellem ezatt? Energija mir-Rih, Smart City, White Rocks, Crafts Village, Waterpolo pitch ta' Birzebbuga jew xi kumpanija Braziljana?

Peter Bonello

Jan 8th, 14:19

Intom tajbin biex tmorru 30 sena u iktar lura. jekk thares lura 5snin, qabel l ahhar elezjoni Gonzi PN qalulna li ha jibnu wind farm... u fejn baqat din?

twanny borg

Jan 8th, 12:50

Kaz kompletament differenti. Kif tista' tghid u tipretendi li n-nies jivvutawlek fuq pjan li ma tafx jekk ser ikunx hemm min jinvesti? Kif tghid li se taghmel power station ohra privata tikkompeti ma' dik prezenti minghajr ma tfalli wahda e tkecci l-haddiema? Is-soltu inkonsistenza biss.

Joseph Mifsud

Jan 8th, 13:12

Nahseb l-inkonsistenza qeghda fil-gvern....li jitlob xi haga minghand l-opposizzjoni meta HU qatt ma ghamilha. Rigward il haddiema etc....qalha car li mhux ha jkecci. Xi haga li il-gvern kien weghda lil haddiema ta l-Airmalta u nafu kif spiccat....idem id dockyards. Meta ssir il power plant il gdida jista jsir ftehim li jintuzaw il haddiema ta l-enemalta li jixtiequ jahdmu go din il plant il gdida

K. Vella II

Jan 8th, 13:30

Twanny Borg, lilek qatt urewk xi rapport tekniku bil-kalkulazzjonijiet ta' kif kien beħsiebhom jiffinanzjaw l-extension ta' Delimara (BWSC), ir-riforma tal-Arriva, jew kif il-pajjiż skont huma kellu jispiċċa b'surplus flok deficit? Għax jien le.

John L Galea

Jan 8th, 12:46

Who was in government...errmmm GOnziPN whose energy policy was next to nil.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Jan 8th, 14:55

It is only fair if you think and reason in the frame of mind that any big contract will result in a donation to the party in government. This is clearly the PN's way of doing things, otherwise why did they ask the question? Why does not the PN publish a list of its donors in the last 5 years?

Donna Parnis

Jan 8th, 13:13

Paul if gonzi had put this plan forward would you be saying that, No way you would be saying well done and Labour were lagging behind, funny how when its not gonzis ideas you dont like them, JM even stated he will take responsibility, Now if it were Gonzi saying that we would all die laughing, as he dosent even know the meaning of the word.

W. Cassar

Jan 8th, 12:44

Indeed well said

Giocchino Attard

Jan 8th, 12:50

March 2013

Chris Mifsud

Jan 8th, 12:41

A defunct party is the one that has spent over 25 years (bar an failed 22 months) in opposition.

PN does not need to copy or learn any lessons from the MLP thank you very much.

Donna Parnis

Jan 8th, 13:16

Chris the PN need to learn the lesson of shouldering responsibility, they go on about it so much but as in the usual PN way they promise and dont deliver, The pn are copying and pasting from everywhere, Margaret thatcher, Obama, and yes even Labour, The only lesson PN have learned over 25 years is how to make their own pockets heavier.

Joseph Parnis

Jan 8th, 14:16

but PN are sure in a panic mode

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