The Foundation for Medical Services and the University are carrying out an energy audit at Mater Dei Hospital and considering renewable energy sources, Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Cassar said today.

He said another exercise, carried out in September last year, had suggested that solar heating and wind energy equipment could be installed on the hospital roofs and the car park.

The purpose of the new study is to identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced without impacting on patient care.

Dr Cassar pointed out, however, that the hospital is a sensitive place and what applies to homes or business establishments does not necessarily apply to it.

He also listed various energy saving measures incorporated in the new hospital during construction.

They include double insulated walls, double glazed windows which are always kept closed to maintain temperature, low volume flush toilets, reservoirs for rainwater, use of energy saving lamps throughout the hospital, sensors to switch off lights when rooms are vacant, chillers that produce their own cooling water thus reducing load on boilers, north-facing wards reducing the need for cooling, and recycling of water for irrigation purposes.

Dr Cassar made his comments when he inaugurated a Christmas Tree lit by photovoltaic panels. It features 1,000 LED bulbs.