Motorists were still getting a good deal at the pumps, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said yesterday at a news conference, when grilled on the fact that local fuel prices were significantly higher than the EU average.

While refuting such criticism, Dr Mizzi said that fuel prices in Malta had been in decline since the start of the Labour administration, adding that further reductions were planned for next April.

He announced in the coming weeks Enemalta would offer consumers superior high-spec fuels with those already at the pumps.

The Energy Minister was addressing a news conference at the Enemalta headquarters in Marsa, in which he announced measures targeting consumers who had invested in photovoltaic cells to generate their own electricity.

The government’s fuel-hedging policy, meant to stabilise prices, which used to reflect trends in international oil markets, is increasingly coming under the spotlight as reductions in local pumps have not reflected prices abroad. Last Monday the price of oil, which has been in decline for more than a year, fell below $28 per barrel – the lowest since 2003.

According to the latest data published by the European Commission, petrol in Malta costs 7c more per litre than the average price across EU pumps. For diesel, the difference is much more pronounced as owners of diesel vehicles are being charged 17c above the EU mean.

During the news conference it was also announced that, starting next March, Enemalta would begin paying back some €5.5 million in outstanding debts with consumers who are generating excess electricity through their photovoltaic panels, and who are hooked to the national grid.

He said that some 17,000 families would benefit and would receive the cash payment directly in their bank account and be notified by SMS.

The company also announced measures to simplify paperwork, whereby consumers would only have to apply once to receive compensation. Information leaflets to those benefitting would be mailed in the coming days.