Representatives of the local councils of Marsaxlokk, Birzebbuga and Zejtun this morning expressed concerned over emissions of particulate matter from the Delimara power station and insisted that the power plant's extension should be diesel firing (gasoil), so as not to make a bad situation worse.
The officials were speaking at a press conference following studies and tests which they had commissioned.
The officials said the use of gasoil instead of heavy fuel oil would not only mean cleaner air, but would also remove the need to transport and dispose of hazardous waste.
The councils said the technical monitoring they had carried out showed that particulate emissions PM2.5 from Delimara were significantly higher than EU limits, particularly in Marsaxlokk. The average in Marsaxlokk was 52.7 µg/m3 when it should be 25. It was 34.7 in Birzebbuga.
They feared the situation would be even worse if the extension operated on heavy fuel.
Enemalta, they pointed out, had itself reported that using gas oil would result in a 40% decrease in particulate emissions compared to heavy fuel oil
Consultant Dr Jason Bonnici warned that high emission levels had consequences on quality of life, health costs and life expectancy.
Dr Edward Mallia said that unfortunately the decision had already been taken by Enemalta to use heavy fuel oil, and a de-sulpheriser had already been installed at Delimara. He warned that the use of heavy fuel oil would result of tons of waste which would have to be exported.
FINANCE MINISTRY REACTION
In a reaction, the Finance Ministry did not go into the merits of gas oil or heavy fuel oil, but said that the choices made for the power station extension were made on the basis of what was best for the environment with the least possible cost.
The emissions were based on standards enforced in Germany as confirmed in the investigation carried out by the Auditor-General.
Emissions were monitored by Enemalta and posted on the internet in real time.
The ministry said air quality will improve because the technology which will be employed will convert the emissions into waste which would then be exported.
The government was also investing in an interconnector with the European grid, which would make possible the decommissioning of the Marsa power station.