M.C. Muscat (The Sunday Times, January 4) recommends laying down gas pipes to directly supply Maltese households. I understand that some towns, like Sliema, did have piped gas, but this infrastructure was abandoned many years ago.

It would now be a major expense to dig up the island to lay gas pipes. Furthermore, all fossil fuels, including natural gas, are finite, and will one day no longer be available. Well before it dries up, gas prices will shoot up, beginning when this economic depression lifts. Some countries, like Ukraine, can't even afford it at today's prices. I believe we should concentrate our resources on linking to the European electricity grid - if there is anyway we could buy electricity from France (80 per cent from nuclear and said to be the cheapest in Europe), it would be great achievement.

It's a great pity that the last budget did not permit Enemalta to buy household-generated solar electricity at least at the same price (plus surcharge) it sells it to them.

No really significant incentive has been offered for people to invest in these very expensive photovoltaic panels, which is a great pity, considering the huge difficulties and expense being contemplated for wind energy.