Updated with government reaction - The Government's energy plan is now envisaging triple the amount of gas storage in the Project Description Statement published some days ago, according to PN energy spokesman George Pullicino.
Before the election, the PN said the project would require storage vessels twice the size of Mosta Dome.
"Now this has gone up by three times," he told a press conference at PN headquarters.
Mr Pullicino said that while the Labour Opposition had said that 60,000 cubic metres of storage would be needed, the amount being mentioned in the PDS was 180,000 cubic metres.
Pointing out that the Government had also reduced the length of the power purchase agreement - from 10 years to five - Mr Pullicino questioned whether the goalposts would continue to change on this project.
"Hopefully the goalposts do not change when it comes to the prices mentioned before the election."
He said the Project Description Statement also provided for gas storage on a huge permanent tanker which would impact the nearby area. During refilling, two such tankers would be needed. This could also require vast amounts of dredging in an area filled with Posidonia.
Mr Pullicino asked the Government whether it would carry out a Cost Benefit Analysis regarding its project and other ones, such as the gas pipelines, to ensure that it took an "informed decision".
While acknowledging that the Government had a mandate to fulfil its promises, it also had the duty to make sure all the necessary studies were carried out, irrespective of the deadlines it had set for itself.
Mr Pullicino said the previous Government was also approached with similar gas project ideas but its studies concluded that the BWSC extension made more sense.
With the Government's plan, Malta would be producing 300 megawatts more than required by the island. It would also mean less use of the interconnecter which was a crucial part of the previous administration's plan to reduce emissions.
Moreover, Mr Pullicino pointed out that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had promised to start using diesel instead of heavy fuel oil in the BWSC power station, "from the day after the election".
"As far as I know, we are still burning heavy fuel oil," he said.
GOVERNMENT REACTION
The government this evening accused the Nationalist Party of hindering the power station project so that tariffs would not be reduced.
The Energy Ministry in a statement in reply to a PN press conference said it remained on track to reduce the tariffs as promised, while also improving air quality. It would also close down Marsa power station and demolish the old chimney of the Delimara power station.
The ministry said the former minister had a poor track record, with the BWSC project mired by scandal and the interconnector project suffering long delays.
The former government had also failed in its renewable energy policy.
The ministry said the PN had made unfounded criticism in its press conference, without proposing alternatives.
The ministry said the government was also looking into the long-term use of gas and talks were being held with the EU on the funding of such projects.