The Resources Ministry has denied a claim by Alternattiva Demokratika that it has received a report showing that a wind farm off Mellieha, on Is-Sikka l-Bajda, would not be viable.

The Ministry said a lot of hard work had been put in over the past few months so that the ministry could, in the near future, finalise and announce its proposals and plans.

The ministry said it would publish all opinions it would have received.

The ministry criticised AD for coming out with its comments even before the process before MEPA had started. AD also had not appreciated the fact that Malta had acute space limitations and the wind farm would have an impact, wherever it was set up.

The wind farm project, however, was of fundamental importance for Malta to reach its clean energy targets, the ministry added.

It hoped that AD would be able to contribute to this process.

AD leader Arnold Cassola, in a reaction to the ministry's statement, said that the government should publish reports in its possession.

"All Maltese and Gozitans have a right to view the reports on which the government has based its decision and judge whether the prevailing meteorological conditions at Sikka l-Bajda are ideal for a wind farm". Prof Cassola said.

"Alternattiva Demokratika is always at the forefront in backing our government on any project based on obtaining energy from renewable sources. However, we do not want projects to be announced without the scientific studies on these projects being conducted beforehand and made available to public opinion. The Resources Ministry should refrain from continuing to withhold the studies that have already been made on this project", Prof Cassola said.