Update 3 - The Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, said today that he was 'convinced' that the EU's plans for energy union could help Malta overcome its position as isolated energy island.

He made his comment after touring the site of the new gas power station in Delimara and calling on the prime minister at the Auberge de Castille.

He told Dr Muscat that the Delimara gas power station project and changes in energy policies in recent years are 'very impressive'.  

The Prime Minister said in the coming months Malta’s focus would be on the proposed gas pipeline and energy mix.

PIPELINE SEEN AS BEING OF HIGH IMPORTANCE BY THE EU

Plans for a gas pipeline between Malta and Sicily rank second in the European Commission’s scoreboard for projects intended to create an energy union, the Times of Malta has learnt.

The proposal is viewed by Brussels as “very important” for its aim to further diversify energy supplies and end the island’s gas isolation from the mainland,
according to sources close to the Commission. 

The gas pipeline, linking Malta to Gela in Sicily, is on the list of projects for North-South gas interconnections in the EU’s western region, the sources said.

The list is composed of projects of common interest to the EU and is reviewed every two years by the Commission.

The ranking follows progress made on the project over the last 18 months and is expected to be announced by the Commission later this month when it releases its first State of the Energy Union report.

The gas power station is due to start producing electricity next year, initially using gas stored on a floating facility in Marsaxlokk Bay. The tanker will eventually be replaced by the pipeline.