Malta cannot meet its emissions targets unless it makes “extensive” use of the Malta-Sicily electricity interconnector, according to an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on the planned gas-fired power station in Delimara.

Meeting the targets also depends on electricity demand staying stable until 2020 and using the new gas-fired units, with the present gasoil-fired units being retained only for emergency backup.

According to the government’s plans, however, only 25 per cent of the electricity capacity of the expensive interconnector commissioned by the previous administration will be used.

The environmental assessment, now in its third draft, was submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on December 20 and was made public by Mepa as part of the public consultation which closes on January 24.

More on the e-paper on timesofmalta.com