Labour energy front man Konrad Mizzi said tonight that a fast-track approach like that adopted for Smart City will be used to approve a gas-fired power station.

Interviewed by a panel of journalists during a televised press conference, Dr Mizzi said a Labour government will target a 60-day planning approval deadline.

The time frame was identical to that adopted by the government when it signed the contract with Tecom Investments, the company building Smart City, he added.

Dr Mizzi defended his party’s plans when asked by The Times whether the time frame to build the power station and accompanying gas infrastructure was realistic.

Labour is saying the project will be concluded in two years. Dr Mizzi said six weeks would be needed to study the impact of the project since the environment impact assessment done for the Delimara extension would be used as a benchmark study.

The subject of the conference chosen by the Labour Party was Cheaper Bills – Cleaner Air.

Dr Mizzi explained that the energy generation market was liberalised but nobody had bothered until now to enter the market because there were barriers such as the availability of land. This will be made available to the private sector, he added.

Dr Mizzi said it was standard practice when signing a power purchase agreement to receive an advance payment. He quantified this at around €30 million and said this will be used to reduce utility bills a year after the election although the project will not have been ready by then.

On the fuel market, Dr Mizzi said a Labour government will encourage more competition by strengthening the Malta Resources Authority to make sure liberalisation worked to the benefit of motorists. He did not say whether the price of fuel will be cut.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com