The recent reduction in the price of utility tariffs for households will cost the government €30 million, while that for businesses next year will cost €50 million, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi told Parliament on Wednesday.

He steadfastly declined to answer impromptu supplementary questions on the gas power station contract signed between Enemalta Corporation and private consortium Electrogas.

He insisted he would answer the Opposition’s questions only if they were put in writing.

On their demands for Dr Mizzi to table at least one example of a contract for gas supply at a fixed price for 10 years, rather than the five years as in the Enemalta contract, he said he was not responsible for what other countries did, but such contracts did exist.

Minister insists questions be put in writing

The Opposition also asked when the government intended to honour the Prime Minister’s promise that the contract would be published.

Yesterday Joseph Muscat said the contract would be published soon as it was undergoing an evaluation for its commercial sensitivity.

Opposition MP George Pullicino asked Dr Mizzi to confirm that €30 million of equity in Malta Power and Gas Ltd had been transferred to the Electrogas consortium. What had become of transparency?