Enemed has filed a planning application for infrastructural works at Ħas-Saptan, which would lead to the closure of the March 31 tank facility at Birżebbuġa.

This is the beginning of a process by the company established last year to take over the operations of the former Enemalta Petroleum Division.

The government said that the closure of the plant would be a major for the south, a promise made by previous administrations which failed to deliver.  

Other initiatives in the south, the government said, included the closure of the Marsa Power Plant, promised for over 25 years, the closure of Delimara Plant 1 and the dismantling of the chimney. These projects were expected to give a major boost to the health and environmental aspects of these areas. 

The plans involved the change of use of existing underground storage tanks at Ħas-Saptan.

These tanks were currently leased to third parties for overseas use on short-term contracts. They will be refurbished and upgraded with modern safety features and will be used to store Enemed products. The project will utilise existing infrastructure and hence will not create environmental issues. 

Enemed, the government said, was making the necessary plans to upgrade its fuel storage capacity at the airport. This is used for aviation fuel.