The European Commission yesterday singled out Malta as the member state which was not making any tangible progress to reach binding renewable energy targets by 2020.
However, the EU executive said the island was still planning to reach its commitments in less than 10 years’ time, even though the progress made so far was “disappointing”.
According to a new Commission assessment of the progress made so far in all 27 member states, Malta has missed its own targets.
While the island had planned to start producing five per cent of its electricity generation through renewable sources by the end of last year, this had only reached 0.6 per cent. All the other electricity is so far produced by the two Enemalta power plants, which depend exclusively on the burning of fossil fluids.
On the other hand, Malta seems to be doing relatively well in the use of biofuels for transport, reaching a share of 2.8 per cent of all its fuel consumption last year and exceeding its target of 1.25 per cent in 2010. Still, the Commission said more had to be done.
According to the commitments Malta entered two years ago, the island must start producing a minimum of 10 per cent of all its electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020. It also has to have 10 per cent of all its transport fuel needs met by biofuels.
Malta is committed to increase its energy efficiency by 15 per cent in 2014 and 22 per cent in 2020 on its 2005 levels, particularly by consuming less energy and fuel.
In this area, Malta is way off the mark as it is still going in the opposite direction. The island, along with Cyprus and Lithuania, have seen their national energy consumption increase by more than 20 per cent since 2005 – the highest increase in the EU, according to the Commission.
On the other hand, Germany and the UK are the efficiency champions, reducing consumption by 14 and nine per cent respectively over the same period.
A Commission official yesterday told The Times that although Malta’s results did not look good, the island’s plans were still considered to be positive.
“If implemented, Malta is planning to exceed its 2020 targets. However, we still have to see how projects are implemented in the next decade,” he said.
The island is planning massive investment in the coming years, particularly by building three wind farms, one offshore and two onshore; the use of photovoltaic technology; and the production of energy through waste. However, the majority of these projects are still on the drawing board.
The EU said its review showed a disappointing picture across the board as the majority of member states had not kept to their interim 2010 targets. In the electricity sector only seven member states did so, while in the transport sector nine met their targets, among them Malta. The Commission said all member states should pull up their socks to ensure the 2020 commitments were met.
Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger called on them to increase their investment in this area. “We have to invest much more in renewable energy and we need smart, cost-effective financing. If member states work together and produce renewable energy where it costs less, companies, consumers and taxpayers will benefit.”