The Government’s bad decisions in the energy sector were endangering Maltese businesses and the economy, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
The damaged turbine in the newly built Delimara power station extension has made the country dependent on the Marsa power station which, 20 years ago, was said to be unreliable, Dr Muscat told a political meeting in Mtarfa.
“The Government’s wrong choice is endangering the economy. If something goes wrong, the security of energy supply to factories, industry and small businesses would be endangered,” he said.
Dr Muscat said he was very concerned that this would jeopardise the country’s competitiveness and, as a result, jobs.
The handover of the Delimara extension, built by Danish company BWSC, to Enemalta was meant to take place next month but was postponed by at least six months due to major damage to one of its turbines.
Dr Muscat accused the Government of trying to hide the situation. “Three days after Joe Mizzi’s statement, the Finance Minister confirmed it and said he knew about it. So why didn’t he speak out before?” he asked.
He said the Opposition wished it had not been proved right over the extension.
The Marsa power station was inefficient and Malta was not going to fall in line with EU emission laws, leading to fines from the EU. “The Finance Minister gave the impression that these fines would be paid by BWSC but it emerged that we will have to take them to court,” he said.
The contract with BWSC, which had been quickly signed, included a clause that any issues between the company and the Government or Enemalta would be dealt with in a European court.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday that BWSC had accepted full responsibility and would also be making good on damages the country sustained due to the delays.
Turning to the issue of the lease agreement for St Philip’s Hospital, Dr Muscat said the Opposition was ready to be convinced that it was the best deal for the country.
“I appeal to the Government to have the decency to wait until Wednesday to discuss it in Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee,” Dr Muscat said.
The Opposition was not interested in the hospital’s owner. “But if he wants to politicise the issue then so can we. He said he is ready to include a clause in the contract so that a new government can opt out without fines. So now we have established there are fines in the contract. Who decided them and how much are they?” he asked.
Turning to the Budget, Dr Muscat said he was worried about a possible situation whereby a new year would start without the Budget having been approved.
This would affect companies, businesses and people.
The Opposition would not vote for the Budget because, based on the Government’s track record, it did not have confidence in the Prime Minister, Dr Muscat said.