Renewed objections ‘won’t stop Sicily cable’
‘Commune can’t stop it’
A cross-section of the proposed interconnector cable. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The Government is confident that it will get the permits it needs to complete the interconnector project in spite of fresh opposition on the Sicilian side.
“We are not concerned that the opposition could in any way derail the project because we have been assured that the permit will go through the whole process.
“Besides, there are no severe objections and the regional government has already approved it,” Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said yesterday.
With this in mind, he said that the permits should be in hand by the end of February, at the latest.
He was reacting to news that the Movimento Territorio Ragusa, an environmental group associated with the Ragusa province – where the interconnector cable will be connected on the Sicilian side – announced it planned to oppose the project fiercely.
The group said it “would be at the frontline against the project for environmental reasons” arguing that the interconnector, particularly an onshore terminal, would damage the area near Marina di Ragusa and the mouth of the River Irminio.
But Mr Fenech said that the interconnector infrastructure on the Sicily side would be underground and that the zone earmarked was located in an area where there already was a water treatment plant.
Moreover, the minister, who is responsible for Enemalta, said the Italian Government had given assurances that the project was being seen as a project of national strategic importance.
“This means that the ultimate decision is also taken at a national level,” he said.
The minister’s comments were echoed by the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Efisio Luigi Marras, who said that the project had been discussed at the highest levels between Malta and Italy, adding that the Italian side recognised the importance of this project for Malta.
“From the Italian side, there is all the will to accelerate the procedure as we have done so far,” he said.
He would not comment further, saying: “I feel I should stop here at this point.”
The Ragusa commune had objected to the project months ago but the case resurfaced when, last week, a date was set for a hearing on the 23rd of this month by the Economic Development Ministry, which has the final say on the matter.
It appears that the commune had plans to rehabilitate the bay that is earmarked to be used for the interconnection.
On this point, Mr Fenech said that he had had a meeting with the Ragusa mayor months ago to address its concerns and insisted yesterday that the council had the wrong information on the Government’s plans.
“Their concerns were that there would be structures on the bay but this is not the case because the infrastructure willbe underground.
“The other objection was about the huge size of the tunnel to be dug, which is not the case either because we are talking here of what is known as ‘micro tunnelling’, which is not as big as they are saying,” Mr Fenech said.
In a statement to the press, the Movimento Territorio Ragusa pointed out that, as far back as June last year, the then mayor of Ragusa, Nello Dipasquale, had voiced opposition to the project and called on the proponents to interrupt the procedure for its implementation.
The movement called for alternative solutions, which would protect the environment.
Attempts to contact Mr Dipasquale, who is now a regional councilor, proved to be unsuccessful.
Interconnector cable
The interconnector is a €200 million project, partly funded by the European Union, which, by the end of 2014, should see Malta connected to the European electricity grid.
The project, which is now a feature on the ongoing electoral debate on the future energy plans for Malta, is essentially an electricity cable, capable of delivering 200 megawatts, linking Magħtab to Ragusa in Sicily.
In December 2010, the Government signed a €182 million deal with French company Nexans for the laying of the cable.
On the Maltese side, a five-kilometre long tunnel is being bored between Magħtab and Kappara, where the cable will eventually be hooked up to the distribution centre there.
The permit process from the Italian side has seen some delays but there has been consistent commitment from the Italian Government towards the energy project.
In December, Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Giulio Terzi told his Maltese counterpart, Francis Zammit Dimech, that the permits would be issued by the beginning of February.
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B. Farrugia
Jan 15th, 12:17
i WOULD BE MORE HUMBLE.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 14th, 18:25
"The minister’s comments were echoed by the Italian Ambassador to Malta" - nothing of the sort. The Ambassador kept his distance from committing hilsef- it is very clear what he said - that there is a will to accelerate the project but does not say it is definitely on.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 14th, 18:24
"We are not concerned that the opposition could in any way derail the project " - more scaremongering by PN. Why did Fenech say this? What evidence has he got that LP is trying to derail the project? I wish this mud slinging by the PNwould stop and they start giving us some hard facts.
victor bonello
Jan 14th, 18:20
this is simply wire, can you imagine a pipeline? it will be 2099 before PN can keep these promises.
Francis Sammut
Jan 14th, 17:57
Just because Tonio Fenech is giving us assurances a few weeks before the election it doesn't mean there cannot be obstacles and problems. It's the election and that blasted vote that counts. And that goes for both parties, in case someone might get any stupid ideas!
Robert Lewis
Jan 14th, 17:26
Who has confirmed that it will be granted because as far as we know Italy are going to the polls like us. That is Italy's Govt is a caretaker as well.
Tarcisio Mifsud
Jan 14th, 17:00
I do not think that the Ragusa can stop the interconnector project because of the "Energy Charter" . But they can give you a lot of headaches before the project goes on and even incur extra expenditure, if the cable is ready to be laid but the permits are still pending.
Joe A. Borg
Jan 14th, 14:18
Time will tell who is right!
If Hon. Borg is in the wrong, that will be an other nail in the coffin! ( +11% and rising)
Peter Simpson
Jan 14th, 14:07
Of course not! But it would take an extra 2 to 3 years of wait; and we can.t afford the scandalous electricity bills. Scandalous, because Dr Gonzi was going for gas,instead, this sensible decision was derailed into a mess of gargantuan proportions for tiny Malta!
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jan 14th, 13:15
"The Government is confident that it will get the permits it needs to complete the interconnector project "
The Gov. was also confident that the projects of the White Rocks, the Smarts City 8,000 new jobs, The Marsa Sports Facilities, the bridge and causeway between Gozo and Malta, a balance badget by 2010. Were all going to materialize. BUT ALL FAILED as they were all just propaganda.
J Tabone
Jan 14th, 12:54
This is the reason why the PL proposed the gas ships and the terminal. We had Delimara1, the BWSC and we still had to operate Marsa. When the pipeline and interconnector are ready we will utilise them as well to lower the price!!! Imm'Alla hares ma jigix l-interconnector, ta!
Joe Grech
Jan 14th, 12:35
Tonio Fenech please note:
''the Italian side recognised the importance of this project for Malta.'' ie NOT FOR ITALY AND ESPECIALLY RAGUSA!
Sicily is NOT MEPA - the Maltese government cannot twist and turn the Sicilians like it does the local 'Authority'.
Malta should make local arrangements for Electricity production not trust others!
Edward Mallia
Jan 14th, 12:21
What is the complaint from Ragusa about? Can Min. Fenech publish the minutes of his meeting with the Mayor some months ago? Are the people of Gela likely to object to the gas pipeline landing on their beaches? We had better ask. We do get quite a lot of ozone formed from hydro-carbon emissions from Gela refineries by strong sunlight coming our way. Time they sent us something more useful.
John Pace
Jan 15th, 12:06
Gela has already got a gas pipeline, the Greenstream pipeline from Libya
Edward Mallia
Jan 15th, 13:51
I am well aware of that. But that is serving them so they are hardly likely to complain. The spur to us is serving us. That may put a lowupper limit to the hassle they will put up with.
Edward Mallia
Jan 14th, 12:15
How much is the EU contributing to the €200 million IC cost?
Ing. Chris Ciantar of MRRA keeps telling us the EU is helping Malta & Cyprus to connect to a gas supply. Cyprus is building an LNG terminal. Can the PL MEPs ask the EU PRONTO if
it will help Malta with getting in LNG? Can they also ask what the much touted help with a pipeline amounts to? Has it been (EU) budgetted for?
John Zammit
Jan 14th, 12:09
So now we have from the minister himself. He new that's not going to be all OK on the Sicilian Side. There are 33 similar entities that the Government needs their permission. How much each entity is going to take. Why not used another route.
Joseph Grech Attard
Jan 14th, 12:02
Italy is having elections soon. Anything could happen. Italian parties cannot afford to lose votes. They, like GonziPN politicians, could say 'yes' or 'no' and then do what they wish. Other conditions could be asked for and the price would, in the meantime, double. This has been the course of the present legislature. Besides, we would be in the hands of foreign speculators. Ask Italy, Germany, UK
Jeffrey Mallia
Jan 14th, 11:43
What ????? You have been assured ???? So this multi MILLION project has been conceived without the necessary written guarantees and after spending millions in consultation fees !!! The law should be changed, and anyone found to have stuck his fingers in theses pies, should be sent to jail big time.
victor bonello
Jan 14th, 11:26
promises nothing but promises. The PN has run out of ideas and capabilities. Time to wake up, go home and start working.
Robert Lewis
Jan 14th, 11:17
In December, Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Giulio Terzi told his Maltese counterpart, Francis Zammit Dimech, that the permits would be issued by the beginning of February, coincidentally before 9th March. We have been promised so many things. Another gimmick. Pajjiz tal gimmicks.
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