Labour MEP John Attard Montalto has urged the EU to probe whether the government is using its energy efficiency policies to raise prices and hide inefficiencies.

Speaking during a debate on national energy efficiency plans at a session of the Industry, Research and Energy committee in Brussels, Dr Attard Montalto said the EU should make sure that energy monopolies in member states do not abuse their position.

"The European Commission should go beyond the evaluation of national action plans when it comes to energy. Strict parameters should be applicable in all member states, which will not allow providers who have a monopoly, as in the case of Malta, to raise tariffs and charges indiscriminately," he told MEPs.

Accusing the authorities of using the promotion of energy efficiency in order to disguise their own administrative inefficiencies, Dr Attard Montalto said:

"Electricity production in Malta is a monopoly and there is no competition. The government has now decided to raise tariffs, charges and surcharges to such heights that they are unsustainable. While the price of oil has plummeted, the price of electricity in Malta has exploded. I think that the Commission should look into this as soon as possible."

According to the Labour MEP, the rise in energy tariffs is also posing major difficulties for certain manufacturing industries which cannot cope.

Indirectly referring to the ST Microelectronics factory, Dr Attard Montalto said he was informed that "the largest manufacturing company in Malta has been forced to resort to monthly payments in the range of €1 million."