The Malta Environment and Planning Authority this morning clarified that the current public consultation process is intended to consider an extension to the timeframe by when a decision is to be made about whether the diesel engines at Delimara Power Station can continue to operate on heavy fuel oil.

In a statement this morning, Mepa said that current permit conditions stipulate that the Monitoring Committee’s independent air quality consultants had to analyse the emissions data gathered over a period of six months following the commissioning of the plant.

It was originally intended that the process would be completed in time for a decision by June 30.

"Due to the delay in commissioning of the diesel engines and due to the extent of data required by the independent consultants following commissioning of the Delimara Power Station Extension (DPSE), and to allow sufficient time for the subsequent review of this report and all necessary consultations, it will not be possible for the consolidated report to be finalised in time.

"Therefore, in agreement with the Monitoring Committee, it is being recommended that the current condition in the IPPC permit should be revised to extend the timeframe for a decision."

The timeframe is being extended to the end of March.

The closing date for public consultation regarding the proposed extension to the timeframe is July 28 with a decision by the Mepa Board to be given shortly after.

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