Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi got the price of oil wrong on Sunday when he cited an “exaggerated” figure of $150 per barrel, Labour said yesterday.

The Government should have also insisted on having an energy mix

The actual price is $111 and the only time it came close to $150 was during the crisis of August 2008, when it reached $148, said Labour MP and utilities spokeswoman Marlene Farrugia.

She also said that Malta did not have to be so dependent on oil price fluctuations. Instead of listening to the advice of its own experts, the Government opted for a heavy fuel oil power station instead of one which operated on gas, as Labour was promising.

The Government should have also insisted on having an energy mix which makes full use of solar energy, a resource not lacking in Malta.

Asked how this could be achieved considering the lack of space in Malta, Dr Farrugia said there was also a possibility of using sea-based solar farms, though she refused to say whether this idea would feature in Labour’s manifesto.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Michael Farrugia, spokesman for consumer affairs, said consumers were concerned about the price of electricity and such statements were a reminder of similar statements made by Dr Gonzi before the 2008 election, after which utility tariffs had increased.

In a reaction, PN said Dr Gonzi was clearly referring to the oil-price record of this legislature but if his words were understood to mean the price had remained that high until today “this was a mistake”.

The Prime Minister was also making the argument that Labour had raised energy prices when oil was $12 per barrel.