The Energy Ministry said today that energy from the gas-fired power station will start being generated in the summer.

It was reacting after Alternattiva leader Arnold Cassola asked whether the completion date of the new Delimara power station has been pushed back again.

He noted that l-orizzont reported today that the ship which will be serving as a floating gas storage platform in Marsaxlokk will be ready in the third quarter of this year.

"After having failed the March 2015 deadline, Joseph and Konrad had pledged to have it (the new power station) fully operating in June 2016. Is Konrad now postponing again because he has too much work to do as Deputy Labour Leader," Prof Cassola asked in a Facebook post. 

The Energy Ministry said the power plant construction is currently estimated to be completed ahead of schedule in May.

This will enable final testing and commissioning processes.

"The Malta gas and power project is progressing at a rapid pace. Advanced works are being carried out on power plant development and gas infrastructure. As from this summer, clean energy from gas will be generated in Delimara," the ministry said.

Government's policy will result in a reduction of over 50 percent of the country's emissions and a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter, it added.

Enemalta is now undertaking a competitive process for decommissioning the 150 metre Delimara Chimney and the Delimara 1 Heavy Fuel Oil plant.