As the controversy on the extension of the Delimara power station abates, somehow the question still remains as to whether Malta's energy supply shall eventually shift to natural gas.
Back in June 2006, Enemalta had published its Electricity Generation Plan 2006-2015 (ECG). Section 2.3 of this document highlights the environmental con- siderations Enemalta needs to factor in now that Malta is an EU member state. Among others, three crucial legislative instruments included in the analysis were the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) and the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) directives. Under the LCPD, the Marsa power station was allocated a maximum of 20,000 hours of operation meant to expire by not later than December 31, 2015. Enemalta has indicated it intends to decommission the Marsa plant well before that date.
Whereas the report concluded that there should be no problem with sulphur dioxide emissions from Marsa as long as low sulphur fuel is used, the situation with respect to nitrogen oxide emissions was found to be unacceptable. The understanding so far is that, congruent to EU energy policy, Malta should interconnect with Sicily via an electric cable meant to replace the power supply from Marsa which, to date, still accounts for circa half the power supply to the islands.
Malta's standing with respect to the NEC is perhaps even more complicated. At present, the NEC caps total emissions for all EU member states covering sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3). Table 2.2 in the ECG gives the NEC limits for 2010 with anticipated projections for 2020 (see table).
Careful analysis of the figures above suggests the EU becoming more stringent with regard to airborne emissions from the energy sector. Apart from extending the NEC to cover particulate matter, both PM10 and PM2.5, ceilings on sulphur and nitrogen oxides are to go down and this clearly comes at a cost that shall ultimately be borne by the consumer. Nothing comes for free let alone a greener and healthier environment.
The inclusion of such data in the ECG was also intended to sustain the point that, back in 2006, a heavy restructuring of Malta's power supply system was urgently recommended. Pollutants covered by the NEC are also emitted as a result of fossil fuel combustion together with carbon dioxide and so. Logically limiting emissions of the latter, as required under the ETS regime, should entail a significant reduction of SO2, NOx, particulates and all the rest.
Under the ETS, Malta has been assigned a capping for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions equivalent to 2.1 million tonnes per year for the period 2008-2012 and covering the power generation industry only. Exceeding this limit would probably entail hefty fines and the purchase of carbon permits as prescribed by the directive. The first paragraph in section 2.2.3 of the ECG, states as follows: "Natural gas has the lowest emissions of CO2 per energy produced when compared to the emissions when using fossil fuels. Added to the fact that natural gas is virtually free of any contaminants, this makes it the cleanest natural fossil fuel available."
Policy area 3 in the April 2009 document, A Proposal For A National Energy Policy, on page 5, points out that: "Malta will interconnect with the European electricity system and pursue the realisation of the necessary natural gas supply infrastructure." Hardly anything concrete has been done in this direction since 2006 when the indications already were that it would be most opportune for Malta to go for natural gas irrespective of the Sicily electric cable interconnection.
Further on, the national energy policy proposal cites a report commissioned by the Malta Resources Authority regarding Malta's electricity generation status up to 2020 the conclusions of which include that "under current foreseeable circumstances a combined cycle diesel engine running on heavy fuel oil with the possibility of conversion to natural gas is the best option for immediate increase in local generation capacity" and that "further expansion would be based on CCGT running on natural gas".
Undesirable as the heavy fuel oil option may be it, remains true that there seems to be nothing concrete so far in Malta's original quest to go for the cleanest gas-fired energy technology.
The final version of the climate change strategy published in September 2009 initially assumes that Malta should go for gas by 2016. Action 34 in the strategy, however, waters down the commitment on the gas option, the last verse reading: "...should a decision be reached to power the generation plants by natural gas". Controversial issues aside, it looks as though the prospects of natural gas firing by 2020 remain quite uncertain.
The author specialises in environmental management.
sapulis@gmail.com