Malta was unlikely to meet its 2020 renewable energy targets and it had to make a bigger effort, a new report by the European Commission warned.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said in August he was “confident Malta will reach its targets” but the European Commission does not seem to be as convinced.

“Doubts remain over Malta, France, the UK, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on whether they will be able to reach their targets,” the report noted. Hungary and Poland would not be meeting their targets, according to Brussels.

The Commission said that Malta’s renewable energy share had recently increased, reaching 3.8 per cent in 2013.

“However, significant renewables deployment is needed in view of the steeper trajectory towards 2020.”

The report suggested that the island should consider using cooperation mechanisms with other member states to facilitate the achievement of renewable energy targets.

This means Malta might have to consider buying cleaner energy from other member states to offset its renewable energy obligations under EU rules.

Brussels was also critical of Malta’s lack of preparedness with regard to a comprehensive medium-to-long-term strategy for climate and energy, stating that the island “has not yet established a strategy on energy and climate change covering the period beyond 2020 and no specific targets have been set for 2030”.

However, the Commission noted that Malta was preparing a national low-carbon development strategy and had already enacted a law to streamline the country’s commitment on climate change.

According to an agreement at EU level, Malta is obliged to start producing 10 per cent of all its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Following the change of government, Malta’s renewable energy plan was reviewed, with the emphasis put on solar energy rather than wind, as was previously planned.

Announcing a new road map, Dr Mizzi had said that Malta’s reliance would be shifted to solar energy, with photovoltaics (PV systems) featuring as the main source. The plans include the installation of large solar farms across the country.

So far, no major solar farms have been installed, apart from a private initiative by Medserv in Kalafrana. Malta is still fully dependent on oil to produce its required energy.

Earlier this year, Malta marked an end to its energy isolation through the commissioning of a new interconnector with Sicily and the EU grid.