The most worrying aspect of Enemalta’s confirmation of the damage suffered by the new BWSC extension to the Delimara power plant is that the damage itself is just the steamy tip of the iceberg.
No account seems to have been taken of any boiler problems at Delimara or of any potential breakdown of the long worn-out equipment at Marsa- Leo Brincat
It is even more worrying that this shambolic meltdown has exposed certain major flaws in the overall Government strategy.
The damage came at a time when, technically, there is still no national energy policy in place – ironically when at most the general election can only be weeks or, at the latest, months away.
It also came at a time when we seem to be many moons away from reaching our renewable energy trajectory objectives in spite of our having the lowest 2020 targets among the EU member states.
What really puzzles me is that in the same way as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority often gave rise to deep suspicions that it could have been covering up or colluding with Enemalta on the Mercaptan and precipitator switch-off issue, there is valid reason to believe that it could have done the same on the BWSC Delimara extension itself.
The permit was granted in a tense meeting held in May 2010, when the point was made that the extra expense on diesel would have been mitigated by the lower maintenance costs. This, however, was ignored.
As the PL had diligently pointed out then, the political appointees on Mepa’s board of directors, inclusive of its chair, acted in a manner which showed that the decisions taken implied they had already been made high above.
The planning authority, meanwhile, was prepared to sacrifice its credibility so long as it carried out its unofficial role as the Government’s rubberstamp.
This was also evident in the recent scandal that I unearthed concerning irregularities and illegalities related to the disposal of waste generated by the Gozitan Central Hospital.
From what I have been told it seems that during this sad saga, particularly in the wake of my media statements, Mepa was far more interested in providing both the Gozo hospital and Wasteserv with a face-saver for their feeble and nebulous counter statement.
I was equally mystified by the various reassurances provided by the Minister of Finance when he claimed that our energy security was in no way at stake as a result of the damage suffered by the new equipment at Delimara.
Security of supply would already have been difficult even had the latest problem not arisen. We still do not have a formal and official date by when the interconnector will be up and running as well as whether Enemalta reports I have received are correct. These are that fresh delays are being experienced and that target dates may not even be met.
With our 40 per cent dependency on the wind element as part of our 10 per cent Renewable Energy Sources bottom line, and with Sikka l-Bajda virtually up in smoke – even if most Government politicians are very reluctant to admit it – have we not already reached a point where security of supply could be dangerously volatile?
I have seen studies online which make it evident that it is not clear how we will achieve our trajectories, if at all. Our under and belated reliance on solar power is hard to explain too.
The EU’s RES Directive stipulates certain requirements. Can the Government update us on whether we are on track and if not, by how much we might happen to be lagging behind?
Further interim targets show that we should reach some three per cent by 2014 and 4.5 per cent in 2016. Will the Government be reviewing its energy mix for renewables – if at all?
It is common knowledge that beyond 2020 more ambitious targets are likely to be imposed on all member states, Malta included.
The same can be said for our energy efficiency targets. It is common knowledge that they seem to be heading towards binding targets per member state.
The huge untapped energy savings potential in our buildings has only made very minor strides forward so far.
Which brings us back to the Delimara extension damage.
While the minister has claimed that with Marsa fully operational and supply from the old Delimara plant we should be in a comfortable position to cope with peak wintertime energy demands, no account seems to have been taken of any boiler problems at Delimara. Neither of any potential breakdown of the long worn-out equipment at the Marsa power station, which should have been closed down as far back as 1993.
Answers are urgently solicited. Meanwhile we would like to learn at what stage Enemalta notified the planning authority of the damage incurred at Delimara, as well as whether the minister can guarantee that this shambolic turn of events will not in any way impinge negatively on any future Enemalta credit rating agency ratings in the near term.
If, as intimated earlier, there may be interconnector delays and a by now unrealistic Delimara deadline, by when will the Marsa plant be officially taken out of service?
Full accountability is called for in the light of such truly shameful behaviour.
Brincat.leo@gmail.com
www.leobrincat.com
Mr Brincat is Labour spokesman on sustainable development.