Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono is prepared to accept alternative energy projects such as an offshore wind farm but only "if they are environmentally friendly".
"I cannot say whether I approve or object to an offshore wind farm. What I am saying is that, as part of Eco-Gozo, we are in favour of alternative energy projects as long as they are environment-friendly and the best solution to improve the quality of life," she said.
The Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs recently announced that an offshore wind farm near the northern coast of Gozo was always being considered as part of the Eco-Gozo project.
However, this proposal does not feature anywhere on the Eco-Gozo website and the document entitled Eco-Gozo Proposed Action 2010-2012 only refers to onshore wind farms and micro wind turbines.
Labour Party environment spokesman Leo Brincat said the Resources Ministry's recent comments were "baffling, to put it mildly" because the government had refrained from carrying out any tests on the proposed site.
When contacted, Mrs Debono would only say that the topic was "on the agenda" and she would wait for expert advice before taking a decision.
Although she said she tended to rely heavily on scientific studies, she said it was "imprudent" to confirm beforehand that she would definitely accept it if the experts advised her to go for an offshore wind farm.
She said meetings were being held to find the best solutions for Gozo in terms of alternative energy and nothing had been excluded or put aside yet, as part of the Eco-Gozo vision.
Calls on the government to study the possibility of an offshore wind farm in Gozo gained ground recently when doubts were raised about the site currently earmarked for Malta's offshore wind farm, Sikka l-Bajda in Mellieħa. Two large underwater caves were discovered recently on the reef, worrying experts that the geology may be too unstable for a feasible wind farm.
An expert committee chosen to advise the Resources Minister had identified a site off Ramla l-Ħamra in Gozo as a location that should be kept "under review". It even drew up an artist's impression of what it would look like.