The government has not yet managed to withdraw a €35 million PV panel contract awarded under the previous administration, despite eight months having passed since Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi declared he would stop it after an investigation revealed shortcomings.

The issue has ended up before an arbitration board after the decision to annul the contract was contested by the winning consortium led by Alberta.

The contract was for the installation of PV panels on government buildings. Dr Mizzi had stoked controversy when last October he accused former resources minister George Pullicino of wrongdoing in the matter.

An investigation by the government’s internal audit department had found serious shortcomings in the adjudication process, according to Dr Mizzi, who has, however, refused to publish the department’s report. 

Pointing a finger at Mr Pullicino, he claimed the former resources minister had approved a higher feed-in tariff than the going market rate. The government, Dr Mizzi had said, would stop the contract and call in the police to investigate.

Last month, The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that the police probe had drawn a blank and had found no wrongdoing by the previous government or Mr Pullicino.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the Energy Ministry said: “The government had made clear its intent not to proceed with this initiative in light of shortcomings in the procurement process. The matter is being dealt with by the government’s legal team.”