The MEPA Board has granted planning permission for the laying of the undersea power cable  between Sicily and Malta and the construction of a Terminal Station in Maghtab.

Through this planning permit, as of next year, EneMalta will be in a position to start the process of shutting off and decommissioning the Marsa Power Station, Mepa said.

"Through this project, Malta will benefit from being connected to a much larger power system, which will supply an appreciable overload capability that will improve the stability of the local power system in case of local generation plant failure. Additionally, through this connector, Malta will facilitate its renewable energy programme. Large scale renewable energy generation, especially wind, is known to be intermittent, and so the country needs to have a sufficiently sized and stable source to cater for the intermittent supply."

The project will also ensure that the Island’s local generating plant can be used more optimally to reduce emissions and improve local air quality, Mepa said.