The Labour Party has expressed doubts on the government's determination to give a boost to alternative energy.

The party's reaction follows Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's statements that the country will be facing the energy challenge "head on" in the country's biggest reform in the coming years.

Labour environment spokesman Leo Brincat said Labour welcomed every effort made by the Nationalist government to address the serious issue of alternative energy in the next budget.

However, he said, this has to be accompanied by serious and concrete steps and taken as part of a national action plan. Mr Brincat said a serious government would first finalise plans and then proceed to implement specific measures.