(Adds government statement)

Maltese businesses should be given the same opportunity given to Shanghai Electric to invest in alternative energy on government land at 50c per square metre, the Nationalist Party said this afternoon.

The proposal was made by energy shadow minister Marthese Portelli and business spokesman Robert Arrigo during a news conference this afternoon.

They also proposed that Maltese businesses, which were informed they could rent the roofs of their businesses at €3.25, should have the rate adjusted for this to reflect the price being paid by foreigners.

Dr Portelli urged the government to immediately give details of more renewable energy systems for families, including for insulation and energy audits.

Mr Arrigo appealed to the government to revise the 400 taxes it had introduced and which were leaving a substantial effect on the purchasing power of families and businesses.

In a statement the government said the government two weeks ago issued a joint statement with the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) on the way forward regarding plans for opportunities in the solar energy sector.

It said that the Opposition had either not realised or opted to ignore the fact that operators were in talks with the government on the way forward.