Former Enemalta chairman calls for increased capacity interconnector
The former Enemalta chairman, Alex Tranter, said today that in the future it would be cheaper to import electricity than producing it here, and it would be better to expand the capacity of the interconnector rather than build a new power station.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Tranter said the PL proposals were positive in that they involved the private sector and also placed some focus on solar energy.
He however warned that 10-year hedging of gas prices would come at a high cost and building a new power station would take more than the timeframes set by Labour.
He also argues that a gas pipeline would be better than an LNG terminal.
Mr Tranter also queries the future of Enemalta’s employees once the new power station will not be operated by them.
Full story in The Sunday Times
See also: Ragusa Council, NGO oppose Malta interconnector - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130113/local/ragusa-council-opposes-malta-interconnector.452989
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Annamaria Anastasi
Jan 15th, 09:16
The only thing anyone should be investing in is renewable energy. That is the cleanest, safest and cheapest way forward!
Simon Ciantar
Jan 14th, 13:10
I disagree absolutely , we should NEVER depend solely on the interconnector . This will leave us at the mercy of the Italians. Last year one Italian MP went on record threating Malta with shutting the interconnector if Malta does not agree with Italy on the question of Illegal immigration , and this before the interconnector had even started to be installed !!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 14th, 18:38
Exactly - see what Russia has done to the countries it supplies gas to - Ukraine ended up without gas supply just because of a political disagreement.
Mario Camilleri
Jan 14th, 11:12
Tonio Fenech was very much worried if a ship carrying gas exploded thereby the whole terminal would be engulfed in one explosion. Now here comes Tranter stating that importing electricity is more feasible than producing it. What if there is an explosion at source? What if the two countries are in dispute? What if the producer raises his tariffs? We would be at the mercy of the producer!
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jan 14th, 00:52
.....continued part 2.
A committee formed from the two political parties and a chairman from Alternativa should take over this important issue and deliver what is considered the best for our country. In this way there will not be any winners or losers, but Malta will be the winner and if eventually there might be cheaper energy rates the consumer stands to gain. Energy is not a game. act now.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jan 14th, 10:22
Would you please explain which parts of the PL's energy plan is "politicized"? And I do not mean the PN's reaction.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jan 14th, 13:29
@Anthony Pavia
The issue of reducing the energy tariffs in itself is a politial issue aimed at winning votes. No more and no less.
Who are we the electorate to judge whether this is feasible or not? Are you that expert Anthony, I am not and so are the majority of the electorate.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Jan 14th, 00:42
Having heard the experts on Disset I tend to conclude that we are not in a position to determine whether the PL or PN are correct. Who are we to decide? This issue should never have been politicized since it is a very precaurious decision and only capable people with high standard of technology should decide.
I urge both parties to strike off this issue from their electoral plans...... continued
Noel Abela
Jan 13th, 21:56
Mr Tranter is the least person who should present himself to give advice about Enemalta after all it was during his chairmanship that the corporation continued to nosedive to being insolvent.
Stephen Abela
Jan 13th, 20:21
If I were Alex Tranter I would shut up and hide in shame ! first you aprove and promote a BWSC heavy fuel oil and then come up with these arguments about the Enemalta employees and gas generated energy !
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 14th, 18:40
And then he packed up and left us all facing the music.
Mario Gafa
Jan 13th, 20:20
DM and NB: There is no form of generation that is 100% firm. The fossil fuel generators also fails and needs maintenance.Our generation system should be composed by fossil fuel preferably fired by gas to reduce pollution and by renewables to take advantage of operating with no fuel costs and reduce pollution.The EU stipulates that 20% of generation will be by renewables by 2020. Let's act now!
Edward Mallia
Jan 13th, 19:14
@Nicholas Brincat & Mario Gafa
Sorry to see that you have just woken up from a Rip Van Winkle sleep. True the PL plan has "forgotten" wind power and govt. has dragged its feet, but there is plenty of published work dealing with prospective sites and our wind resource, on shore & offshore. The political will is missing; politicians on both prefer to generate an infinity of excuses for inaction.
matthew tanti
Jan 13th, 21:02
since you seem to think you know so much, perhaps you can help us understand why most of the world , including the EU, chooses gas pipelines, rather than shipping gas around?
matthew tanti
Jan 13th, 21:03
since you seem to think you know so much, perhaps you can help us understand why most of the world , including the EU, chooses gas pipelines, rather than shipping gas around?
Ronald Borg
Jan 13th, 22:33
Erm Matthew,
Because if you ship, you can shop around and find cheaper LNG from wherever feasable?
Mario Gafa
Jan 14th, 06:43
EM - You are completely mistaken. I have completed a thesis about a generating farm utilizing Wind Turbines and Photovoltaic panels 13 years ago for a particular site in Malta. I even went to a reputable manufacturer in Denmark to learn hands-on, about wind generating farms and how turbines are built and maintained. As you said the political will was missing mostly from the PN side.
matthew tanti
Jan 14th, 09:52
yes, so all those who use pipelines are so stupid they did not think of that "shopping around"?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 14th, 18:46
Tanti: maybe its easier for these countries to have a pipeline because they are on the mainland. In any case, LP is not saying no to a pipeline (as Fenech keeps on saying) - the pipeline is part of the new energy total package - but building a small power station now saves us lots of money instead of having to wait many years for the pipeline to arrive -if it does at all.
Mr Don Manning
Jan 13th, 18:28
The main problem with interconnects, renuables (wind, sun etc.) is that the power suppliers have to plan for failures. The sun does not shine all the time nor does the wind blow consistantly and as cables fail especialy long ones. So Malta will always have to have the resources to generate 100% of the power required.
Pierre Fenech
Jan 13th, 18:05
Was this person involved in any way in the tender process of the Power station of BWSC? If yes, we can all take him with a pinch of salt, as he would be one of those who lost all their credibility in this sector after all the gaffes they did.
Peter Murray
Jan 13th, 20:46
Answer is a resounding YES to yourquestion -and it is more like a sack of salt!
Peppi Borg
Jan 13th, 17:48
What did Mr.Trunter do for Enemalta's workers? What did he do to help Enemalta stand up on its feet again? Isn't he part of Gonzipn's network?
C Muscat
Jan 13th, 17:35
dan l-istess chairman li tahtu kellna inbiddlu l-ligi f nofs tender biex dik ta zaren tigi l-ewwel u tbellalna l-heavy fuel oil tal-m BWSC.
Nicholas Brincat
Jan 13th, 17:07
Building a new power station will most certainly have an impact on the environment as well as on the health of the locals. If we have the possibility of buying electricity from elsewhere, and let them pollute thier area, why not go for it? Let's put petty politics aside and for once look at things from a holistic approach, not just follow politicins blindly like a herd of mules
Carlo Cassar
Jan 13th, 17:34
We have just built one working with eavy fuel oil. So why are we calling for a pipe line now?
Nicholas Brincat
Jan 13th, 18:28
there is no use in crying over spilt milk, what we can do is to mitigate the damage already done and try to conpensate for it. Pondering about mistakes made in the past will only make us a bitter and ignorant country.
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 13th, 18:41
Nicholas can you rely on an electrical Extension ?
Laurence Brincat
Jan 13th, 19:27
Carlo. This is the idea. First finalize the interconnector and ensure is working as should be. In the meantime obtain funds from the EU for us to build a gas pipeline and while this is being laid, the BWSC power station is converted to run on gas. This would mean that we would not need to charter any LNG carriers and no need to build large storage tanks and piers.
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 13th, 20:55
Storage tanks have to be built just the same. One cannot rely 100% on the pipeline. That would be detrimental and dangerous to our population. What if something happens to the pipeline, or the supplier suddenly withdraws the supply? Do we always have to live by crises! Prevention is better than cure!
Albert Cilia-Vincenti
Jan 13th, 16:58
I suggested a few years ago in this newspaper that Malta does not need its own electricity power station - cables from Sicily could connect us to the European grid. An EneMalta official replied claiming this would be unreliable. I reminded him that southern England's electricity is supplied by cables from France. EneMalta then went for heavy oil-fired power station. They think we're all dummies.
Mario Gafa
Jan 13th, 16:06
The modern wind turbines are much more efficient than their predecssors and impose less impact on the environment. Offshore wind turbines occupy no land like PV solar farms and huge storage tanks for oil and gas. Most importantly, our country will not be dependent on foreign countries. One has to think long-term, by bringing energy from other countries, politically it carries great risk.
Nicholas Brincat
Jan 13th, 17:17
And on the same line of thinking for the future, have you stoped to wonder about maintenance costs and the harsh environment that offshore wind turbines will face during their operation? And what happens when they serve their lifetime? Educating the people on how to waste less is the first step before considering any investment.
Mario Gafa
Jan 13th, 15:57
Everyone seems to be concentrating on Gas to generate electricity, everyone seems to forget about our local wind resource. I am referring to Wind Turbines. The principle has been used for centuries and even the Japanese are interested to exploit this renewable energy resource to close some of their nuclear reactorshttp: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAO3mVbGqrI&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Paul Saliba
Jan 13th, 15:05
Why he did not propose all this when he was a chairman? why NOW?
George Grech
Jan 13th, 14:52
Seeing the comments underneath, why does the government consult experts? There is plenty plenty of advice underneath. At least can't we have some respect for those who know something about a highly complex subject?
Eve Axiaq
Jan 13th, 15:44
We actually are fed up of experts, consultants, advisers..........
Nicholas Brincat
Jan 13th, 17:10
yes indeed Mr. Axiaq, becasue all the information that the experts have, which they got through knwledge and research, can be topped by the information which you find on Wikipedia. When you need medical advise you seek a doctor, let's leave an engineer's job to an engineer
marius mifsud
Jan 13th, 14:35
when you mention alex tranter to all the enemalta employee, you will get the same general response! he is the one that accussed them of sabotage when there was a blackout due to technical damage. he is employed with a very famous contructor who 'b'kumbinazzjoni' won the building of the new delimara plant when he was chairman (part-time) of enemalta
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 13th, 14:20
It seems that Mr. Tanter does not really honour Maltese sovereignity. Buying electricity directly from abroad would mean we would be directly in the hands of foreign speculators and business men. We all know what can happen if such a deal is struck. We have already had our energy, telecommunications, banks, etc in the hands of foreigners before. Woe to us if we start that all over again!
G Schembri
Jan 13th, 14:18
Under Mr Tranter electricity prices went up just like his personal wages. He is hardly in a position to comment on Dr Konrad Mizzi's proposals. With regards to Enemalta employees how worried for their safety was he when he decided on heavy fuel oil. I'm sure a new power station would welcome experienced workers instead of having to train them themselves.
william cauchi
Jan 13th, 13:28
If I had been the boss of a company that during my term, had quadrupled the cost price of my product, had delivered a very erratic service and in the meantime left the company with a billion euro debt, I would be the last to come out with any new proposals and suggestions.
Only those that deliver are taken seriously.
K CASSAR
Jan 13th, 13:24
What cheek coming from someone who made no difference to Enemalta. Not even the bill can be issued on time!!! If his intention was to put PN into a good light, he should have kept quiet for never has the situation been worse. I wonder why he resigned his chairmanship? Were he qualified one might consider his opinion but his credibility leaves plenty to be desired!!
Eve Axiaq
Jan 13th, 13:07
Qed ninsew x'fama ghandhom l-Isqallin fejn jidhol il business.
C Muscat
Jan 13th, 13:05
Sa fejn naf jien ghadu impjegat ma Zaren. Tghid din qliegh ghal ?Zaren?!
Paul Gauci
Jan 13th, 12:54
So according to Alex Tranter we should be dependent on (or at the mercy of) Italy for our energy needs. Very smart way of doing things. No wonder coming from the person who presided over the whole BWSC fiasco.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 13th, 12:48
If i was in any way, even remotely responsible for the state that Enemalta is currently in, I would be hiding under a rock rather than giving interviews and advice.
Andrew Cumbo
Jan 13th, 12:28
Għandna għalfejn niehdu il- pariri tiegħu dan, għax meta kien Chairman hu la kien jinqata dawl u fi żmienu għamel min kollox biex indirizza il- problema ta' dejn li għanda l-Enemalta !!
Malcolm Farrugia
Jan 13th, 12:24
Alex Tranter should better let us know why he resigned as Enemalta's chairman,
Liza Zarb
Jan 13th, 12:15
Ahjar qallilna kif se naghmlu biex pajjizna ihallas 800 miljun dejn li ghanda enemalta. Jista ighidilna xi studju ghamel biex johrog b din il-proposta?
John Wayne
Jan 13th, 12:05
All taken with a pinch of salt Mr Tranter.
James Catania
Jan 13th, 11:57
With all due respect to Mr. Tranter, whilst he was on the helm of Enemalta it took a nose dive to the bottom of marianna's trench.
paul borg
Jan 13th, 11:54
@dimech
why do you have to be rude when someone doesn't agree with you you tell him to shut up ! don't be arrogant. hope not all pl is like you.
jane galea
Jan 13th, 11:42
Kif tista tavda dak li qed jghid is-Sur Tranter meta kien chairman hu l-enemalta ziedet id-dejn.Ma kienx jaf kif jsolvi il-problema u it-tmun kien fi jdejh u ma ghamel l-anqas xejn issa se nemmen dak li qed jippropona.Fil-fatt il kummenti tieghu jaf li il--proposti tal-PL tajbin izda wara jitfa id-dubju biex joqtol dak li qal..
Toni Borg
Jan 13th, 12:02
intom lil min jghid kontra il gvern tafdawh b'ghajnejkom mghaluqa u xi hadd jghid favur taraw kif tgiddbuh...typically LEJBER
A Dimech
Jan 13th, 11:41
All that Turner did in hie tenure was to pass the inefficiencies which exists to the tax payer in the form of sky high bills. Plus this, he added 800million Euros to the debt of the corporation.
Because of this, he is the least qualified to talk, and should shut up.
Mr Joe Cardona
Jan 13th, 11:32
Then why Mr Tranter didn't do what he said it is better to do after the PL proposals has been revealed.
I think he better say nothing more as Enemalta under his helm increased its debt.
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 13th, 11:30
Malta taghna lkoll. Please, feel free to express your opinion. Hadd ma jintimidak (lanqas b'xi karozza). Sorry, these are minor details. Don't dare investigate. Put questions only to gonzipn. Ilkoll ahwa Maltin, sorry Malta taghna lkoll.
Pule' Carmel
Jan 13th, 11:30
The world wide demand for energy and power in everyhousehold is growing faster than the world population.
With Marsa over60 years old andDelimara over 20 years old we need to
EitherFull Rempowering.
Parallel Rempowering,
Boosting.
Toppiing.
The present boilers supplimented by the exhaust of gas fired gensets would increase the lifetime of what we have at present and work at an efficiency of50%
Pule' Carmel
Jan 13th, 12:10
During Major world conflicts, I had people call at my home to inform them of the locality of our fuel depots and how much enenrgy Malta uses. I told them how much enenrgy we use but never divulged where our fuel depots existed, Later I realized that some foreign company was interested in supplying us gas from a gas pipe to Italy. But I always played it safe when it comes to security of Malta!!!
Carmel Zammit
Jan 13th, 11:28
It is not whether we should go for a pipe line or an LNG terminal. EU regulations require members states to provide for a storage of natural gas to cater for 60 day supply. So whether gas is imported by pipeline or ship transport the storage facilities are required anyway. Storage is done in compressed form implying the need of reliquification before useof the stored gas. LNG is not an option.
Edward Mallia
Jan 13th, 15:19
Sorry, but a pipeline HAS NO STORAGE FACILITIES. Re-liquification is not even a word in the English language, never mind something that happens in a gas fired power station. re-gasification on the other hand is a well known process that is done in an LNG-powered station, given that the fuel can only be used in the turbines in gas form.
Carmel Zammit
Jan 13th, 18:10
@ Edward Mallia
You may care to reread carefully and make some effort to understand it. The fact that the term 'reliqification' does not appear in the dictionary has no bearing on its significaance. Rest assured that it is amply used in EU regulation governing the security of supply of Natural Gas in EU member states. Look before you leap.
John Micallef
Jan 13th, 11:26
I thought mr tranter will know better. Which is the real threat for employees a local power station or the interconnector?
Mr Alistaire Gill
Jan 13th, 16:33
Really excellent comment. Check mated Tranter's amateurish argument.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 13th, 11:19
Enemalta chairman, Alex Tranter, and Gonzi pn
DO YOU KNOW THAT Sicilians ARE against energy interconnector with Malta
That means we are still nowhere yet ???
Eve Axiaq
Jan 13th, 13:04
Jien smajt tghidx kemm hemm problemi biex jinstallaw l-interconnector fi Sqallija. Qeghdin jitolbu l-istess hlas daqs li kieku qed jinstallaw fil-bahar. B'kull rispett donnu nsejnha x'fama ghandhom l-isqallin fejn jidhol il business.
Evarist Saliba
Jan 13th, 13:32
Sicilians or the authority in Ragusa?
Is Ragusa the only point where we can connect with Sicily?
j brincat
Jan 13th, 11:16
And meanwhile ex-Minister Jesmond Mugliett (who was dismissed by GonziPN in 2008 by an SMS) found these proposals as innovative, very detailed and doable!
jb
George Joseph Cauchi
Jan 13th, 11:14
One strong reason against having a gas pipeline connecting to Europe. Have a mix of supply is best for our country's need. Electricity inter-connector yes but also a gas fired power station with independent gas supplies. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28515983/ns/world_news-europe/t/europeans-shiver-russia-cuts-gas-shipments/#.UPKHYeRIghQ
Alexander Brincat
Jan 13th, 11:11
I am currently in Italy on holiday but while I was here I could see various electricity generating plants, including hydro. Here they do not rely only one one source of energy. It would be madness if you do. Relying solely on the interconnector goes to prove that Mr Tranter was a waste of time and money for Enemalta. Ciao.
Mr Alistaire Gill
Jan 13th, 11:09
No wonder Enemalta is in such a mess.
Who in his right senses want to have the bulk of the energy needs of Malta depending on the whims of the Sicilians?
Very amateurish indeed Mr Tranter.
Energy security is a must for island Malta.
Another valid reason to vote PL.
W. Cassar
Jan 13th, 11:55
You are right this says it all:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130113/local/ragusa-council-opposes-malta-interconnector.452989
Gordon Grech
Jan 13th, 11:07
Dear Mr.Tranter, what about the tanks? Is there the need of them? If your answer is no, then an other problem is created since an incident with the pipeline could lead to no electricity in Malta. Am I correct?
Carmel Zammit
Jan 13th, 11:07
From a business continuity perspective it makes a lot of sense to generate the electrical power required locally. Increasing the supply chain units only serves to increased higher risk. Can we rely entirely on the provision of eletrical energy from suppliers in other countries with all the risks (including tansmission considerations) attached to such a set up. I would say no.
j brincat
Jan 13th, 11:07
Was he around when the BWSC plant was found out of the Yellow Pages?
jb
simon tabone
Jan 13th, 12:19
yes i think he was as at that time he was an employe of Zaren Vassollo
Paul@ Micallef
Jan 13th, 11:05
No more comments are required.
Ragusa Council, NGO oppose Malta interconnector. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130113/local/ragusa-council-opposes-malta-interconnector.452989
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 13th, 11:05
Precaution better than cure !!!
Enemalta chairman, Alex Tranter, NO NO NO >> we don't want to be under no one;s mercy !!!
With the PL proposals we can have it all without no one;s MERCY
C. Bartoli
Jan 13th, 11:04
this is a reason why large amount of gas should not be stored, especially close to residential areas. MLP proposal is that the storage tanks will be built even closer than recommended by Health Divisions. http://www.timrileylaw.com/LNG.htm
Edward Mallia
Jan 13th, 15:25
Have you been to Benghisa recently Mr. Bartoli? How far are the LPG tanks from the nearest B'Bugia residences? And you may have heard Prof. Alfred Vella on Dissett yesterday speaking on the relative dangers of LNG and LPG. Or you may have seen detailed accounts of the Viareggio disaster of 2010 when a tank of LPG on a train exploded as it was derailed in a station.
j brincat
Jan 13th, 11:01
Should we expect anything else from Mr Tranter?
jb
Nicholas Magro
Jan 13th, 11:09
YES,
I would like to invite him to be the HEAD for the BWSC plant cermony at Delimara and enveil a monument in his name and image.
Thanks ING Tanter !!!!!
M Degiorgio
Jan 13th, 10:58
Mr Tranter always sought Ememalta and the country interest and always took good decisions. Under his helm ememalta increases its debt exponantially, invested in heavy fuel oil technology and assigned part of the project to a company found on yellow pages
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 11:07
In the same blatant argument as yours, the MLP will be increasing the debt to a staggering 600 million over and above the current debt, thats 1.4 billion in total. I can make the same cheap arguments like you . but bare in mind that the PN invested heavly in the energy sector and over 25 years the debt is 800 m, with MLP with in a day the debt will be 600m
M Degiorgio
Jan 13th, 13:06
Pn increased enemalta debt AS A FACT pl is saying it will start PAYING off enemalta debt. Worth giving them try !
j brincat
Jan 13th, 10:55
Why doesn't he give us a picture of the financial situation of Enemalta which is bankrupt!
jb
Pav Elliot
Jan 13th, 10:54
The fact that the ex chairman of Enemalta, now suddenly and totally out of the blue is concerned with the current and future policies of the entity he slept at for over 10 years serves to prove the serious competition and alternative energy proposal by PL.
Otherwise he would not not bothered to write and attempt to sow doubt on it. But it is too late to take him seriously at this point.
W. Cassar
Jan 13th, 10:54
Everyone is clever after... In Malta we are always reactive in our decisions never proactive. We are 10 years behind where we should be when it comes to energy. Our transport network too needs looking at and the environment too.
Ronald Borg
Jan 13th, 10:51
Alex Tranter eh....!
Chaired Enemalta as appointed by Hon Gatt for 10 years.
Makes a hell of a mess of a corporation.
And after making sure it is on its knees, with a solid Eur500,000,000 deficit, he throws in a resignation note.
And comes back with some stupid opinion.
Thanks but NO THANKS.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Jan 13th, 10:47
The more this discussion evolves the clearer it becomes that the PN in this area has been doing a total and complete fiasco both on the financial as well as the environmental front, the epitome of which was going for HFO as the fuel of choice.
Joseph Gili
Jan 13th, 10:46
Sur Trunter l-idejat missek hrigthom meta kont chairman, mhux issa. Forsi l-Enemalt ma kienx ikollha da dejn kollu. Bir ragun titkellem hekk, hokli dari ha nhok tighak.
Maria Mangion
Jan 13th, 10:46
Ahjar dawn l ex tal Enemalta jghidulna kif id dejn illum jaqra 835 miljun . U jekk humiex lesti li jerfghu xi tip ta' responsabilita jew inkella jispjegaw car jekk kienux jithallew jahdmu u x' tip ta ndhil politiku kellhom. Mill memorja jidhirli li rajna diversi chairmen ghall enemalta f l ahhar snin.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 11:04
Do you have to wait for them to expain this too you... this was already explaind during the Xarabank program and many other times before. 300 million where there because of subsidies were given to keep tariffs low to attract more investments and 500 million investment in interconnector and replacing the marsa powrer station with the latest one BWCS
Paul@ Micallef
Jan 13th, 12:42
John Bonello "500 million investment in interconnector". Is there another interconnector that we do not know about? How come that the maltese government paid €500 million to something that it is still in the air? And now we know that the Ragusa side are objecting to the deal. So where did the €500 million you are talking about finished?
Joseph Borg
Jan 13th, 10:46
This person had hidden agendas when he was enemalta ceo... He should keep his mouth shut and open it only to explain some things about the bwsc project.
David Farrugia
Jan 13th, 10:45
Tranter? Zaren vassallo's sidekick?
m. borg (slm)
Jan 13th, 12:02
Next one in line to give his opinion about gonzipn's energy policy is David Spiteri Gingell who like Tranter abandoned the nest.
Another of those who ruined Enemalta.
David was the one who proposed gas producing electricity gut then made a U-turn when BWSC appeared on the scene.
Christian Gauci
Jan 13th, 10:45
Dear Mr Tranter, where were you when you were the chairman of Enemalta? You were in charge of Enemalta which brought us in this mess with BWSC contract!
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 13th, 10:41
Enemalta chairman, Alex Tranter, do you know that >>
Gonzi pn , was discussing a Qatari proposal to set up a gas terminal
in Malta to sell gas to Europe !!!!
A.Felix Busuttil
Jan 13th, 10:37
As usual you are not well informed Mr Tranter. just follow what is happening in Ragusa. The council and people of Ragusa are opposing for the inter connector between Italy and Malta. infact there is a pressure group opposing this. Can you imagine how long this is going to take both governments to agree?
Paul Cassar
Jan 13th, 10:34
BUT do we really think that depending only on the connector, from Sicily of all places, for our total energy (and
water ) supply is even thinkable.??????????????..........................two years ago Russia cut off the Ukraine from
gas supply and the Ukraine cut off Europe including mighty Germany, with extreme results...........just think us.
B Testa
Jan 13th, 10:32
Obviously he is now in favor of private sector involvement as his job with the Vassallo magnate, who happens to be a PN contributor and major contractor, makes it possible for Vassallo to put their hands on such a project. How come he did not do it in his era as Enemalta Chairman? Why do all the PN supporters want a single energy contributor, that is the connector, which will bind us to Italy?
Anthony Mizzi
Jan 13th, 10:27
Now he comes out Mr Tranter.... ENEMALTA IS IN THE STATE IT IS NOW is a result of when he was at the helm!
Why not state what position you hold today and who is your employer?
Why now Mr. Tranter?
Thomas Anderson
Jan 13th, 10:26
Mr Tranter spent years as a chairman of Enemalta so could he illuminate us why Enemalta is in the state it is, and what was he doing throughout his years as chairman and why all these ideas now?
Antoine Psaila
Jan 13th, 10:18
Ara wara li c-chairman ta l-Enemalta ghamel ghaxar snin shah isahhan is siggu ghalxejn stenbah u biex iservi daqxejn ta forcina ghall-PN gie jghid xi haga.
Peter Murray
Jan 13th, 10:18
There speaks the sage who, on his watch and under his erudite leadership,dragged Enemalta onto the precipice of oblivion whilst immersed in corruption allegations.Now this genius belatedly re-appears as the Oracle to resolve Enemalta's many problems.Pity he couldn't do anything worthwhile before running off to a benefactors new pasture with a golden handshake -a reward for failure!
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:50
PT1. Peter, he is commenting on the proposal laid by the MLP, while I agree with some of his comments, but certainly not have our country dependable from 2 interconnectors only. I believe that we should not have private investors involved in our power generation plant in Malta, but involve the investors to finance pipelines and interconnectors. Keep our generation plant to Enemalta as a backup.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:50
PT1. Peter, he is commenting on the proposal laid by the MLP, while I agree with some of his comments, but certainly not have our country dependable from 2 interconnectors only. I believe that we should not have private investors involved in our power generation plant in Malta, but involve the investors to finance pipelines and interconnectors. Keep our generation plant to Enemalta as a backup.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:51
PT2.We can involve the private investors to invest and set up gas terminals in Malta, pipe lines from Africa to Europe explore these opportunities yes, I’m for it myself it would open a new sector and new opportunities. But he MLP proposal can have a significant negative effect on our economy and it involves lots of risks, the proposal is short of too many details to be credible
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 13th, 10:17
Ah the Boys are coming in to roost! But it's a bit too late I would say.
A. Mifsud
Jan 13th, 10:12
I concur fully to this statement. This rush to implement the energy plan within stipulated time frames worries me. I'd rather pay higher electricity bills for another 3-4 years, rather than putting the country in a dangerous financial situation, just for the sake of fulfilling electoral promises.
The country has suffered enough from poor energy decisions under the PN, lets not make matters worse.
Karl Muscat
Jan 13th, 10:55
Thanks very much but I'm not willing to give up more of my wage for 3/4 years more to pay up for mismanagement. Why didn't Mr. Tranter implement these ideas when gas was much cheaper - fact showed by Minster Tonio on Xarabank - in the period when he was chairman? This statement and others like these are only puppet messages.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 13th, 10:12
We believe you Mr Tranter after your U-turn on the gas proposal so that you could accommodate BWSC, gonzipn and whoever shared of the 4 million euros commissions on the project.
How come you are no longer working at EneMalta Mr Tranter?
JOHN WHITE
Jan 13th, 11:11
Dear m. borg (slm) if your beloved Muscat proposal party gets elected and would implement what JM can you guess how many millions will share as commissions??
m. borg (slm)
Jan 13th, 11:56
That has to be seen and proved.
James Grech
Jan 13th, 10:11
Mr Tranter was never pro a gas solution. He went as far as to accept a solution based on HFO in spite of EneMalta's 2006-2015 energy plan to go for gas . Mr Tranter is the least person suitable to comment on this type of solution.
C. Bartoli
Jan 13th, 10:10
Whatever the feasibility of this project, one should never choose a government or take a serious voting decision for the future of one’s country simply to have one’s water and electricity bills reduced.
It is very shortsighted to decide the future of a country only on such an issue.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 13th, 11:58
Lol
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:08
PT9. Paying the bills .All this must be answered by the MLP & until the studies and reports are published, the MLP will keep losing votes and credibility with the Maltese voters, we are no longer living in the dark age & gone are the days when voters cast their vote according to their political colour special at this dedicated time were one mistake and many families end up with no income
Thomas Anderson
Jan 13th, 11:14
You know what, I dont need to make any research on GoziPN's energy policy I get all the information I need every time I recieve the energy bill and its a failure. Stop making all these treatises with false pretences you are impressing no one.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:34
Well Thomas if you don’t like to read what I write that’s up too you but it seems like most of the labour supporters are not so friendly on my comments and I’m starting to wonder why??? I read a lot of comments coming from labour side I may not agree with most of them but I would never tell them to shut up because they have a right to voice their opinion.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:55
PT8. The voters must know what they’re voting for, the time frame to finish this project, the storage facility location, ensure that after all the plant is within the EU guidelines, the maritime studies they conducted, the true cost, the proposed 10 years agreement, alternative sites for storage facility, the cost difference between the pipeline or ships, etc.
Giocchino Attard
Jan 13th, 14:29
you sound very bored sorry
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:07
PT7. The same labour’s consultants had indicated that opting for the gas pipeline, proposed by the Government, was cheaper than the PL’s proposal to build another gas-fired power station and gas-holding facility in Delimara. All this flaws in their proposal arouse doubts & the MLP must show some decency towards the Voters and publish their studies, if they want to be credible.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 13th, 11:58
John you should have faced Konrad Mizzi yourself instead of Tonio Fenech who made a mess of gonzipn's arguments.
You seem so knowledgable about this matter that gonzipn would surely have sent you to face Konrad and I presume you have all these reports and documentations on hand to prove your point.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 12:38
Borg I can pass you the links and download all this material yourself, it’s easy to come here and post any garbage you like without facts, I am an electrical engineer with 20 years’ experience in oil and gas, I’ve explained my competence on this subject in other posts to Eddie P. he never challenged my comments. P.s I’m currently in Norway commissioning 6th generation drill ship.
Mario Gafa
Jan 13th, 16:23
JB Whatever decision is taken by any party in government there are risks and cost to the consumer and it's improper to applouse one side and hoot the other. However, we all agree that the current Electricity and Water Bills are too high, and again both parties want to reduce it. So we all need to hold together reds; blues and greens and reach a common ground of how to generate electricity cheaper.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:07
PT6. Again Conrad was in dismay to learn that the proposed site for the storage facility is not suitable & the only answer we have now is that the site is one of many others…but the other sites were never mentioned & most probably they never will. The associations which welcomed their proposal all of them have link to the MLP with the latest gaffe from the GWU - Danish village
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:07
PT5. The required depth for the ships to be able to manoeuvre easily to unload gas, we all witnessed the shell shock on Conrad face & the only answer he could come up with is having a pipe line if this failed, back to the PN proposal. They also failed to conduct proper surveys on the site they originally were proposing to have the storage tanks
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:07
PT4. Unlike the MLP which is only turning and twisting facts, it refuses to publish its reports & studies it conducted on their proposal, secondly anyone who watched Xarabank on Friday noticed the shock on Conrad face when he discovered that it was illegal & not permitted under the EU guidelines to build underground storage,
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:06
PT3. If one had to read these reports which were conducted by experts in this field, one would find that the planning ahead for this project were conducted with the highest professionalism and estimates & time frame for these projects are credible and that is why the PN government is not shying away from publishing these documents for all to see.
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:06
PT2. The PM spoke in public about these projects many times before, the proposal to convert the Delimara power station to gas was not something that the MLP came out with it, the government conducted serious studies on this before & he took the decision to use HFO until the pipe line is available, as it is the cheapest option of the two,
John Bonello
Jan 13th, 10:06
PT1. For all those of you who keep discrediting the PN on its energy proposal, just make your own research before you talk. The PN government published all the detail for the interconnector project, the new power station & include studies which were carried out before the projects started, it’s there for all to read as it’s your right to know the facts & this is not beign denied to you
Antoine Psaila
Jan 13th, 11:37
Il PN ma ghamel xejn ghal 25 sena shah u issa f'daqqa wahda gie jghidilna li ghandu proposti serji sabiex irahhas id-dawl u ilma. Il PN fil progetti tieghu m'ghadux kredibbli. MAter dei ha sbatax il sena biex jitlesta, Manuel Dimech bridge hames snin, pont tac- cirkewwa 10 snin. Bil-kejl tal PN l-interconnector idum mitt sena biex jitlesta.
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