The reduced electricity tariffs for domestic users will come into force on March 31, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said this evening at a dialogue session in Birzebbuga.

Power tariffs will be reduced by a quarter while water tariffs will be down by 5%.

The meeting, in the series Gvern li jisma, was dominated by questions over the controversial location of the gas storage tanker adjacent to the new power station. Many asked whether it was true that the tanker posed a danger. Others asked whether it would be possible to continue to fish in the area and others commented that it might better to place the gas tanker  outside the bay.

Dr Mizzi assured the audience that the government was taking all necessary safety precautions and said that there was no risk from the facility. He however said that to put people's mind at rest, the government was committed to go for a gas pipeline once that was found to be feasible.

Dr Mizzi also introduced Prof Alfred Vella to the audience and asked him to explain that there was no risk to the population from the new power station.

Prof Vella confirmed that LNG was safe and said there was no need for  scaremongering.

The energy minister said that the new power station would bring huge health benefits to the people living in the south as emissions would be reduced by more than half and most of the harmful gasses released in the air would be eliminated.

Turning onto the petrol storage facilities in Birzebbuga, Dr Mizzi said that the facility would be relocated.

On the recent theft of electricity uncovered through smart metres, Dr Mizzi said that the government was most interested in catching the masterminds behind the scheme. He said that through the amnesty given by the government to consumers more evidence was emerging on the Enemalta employees who were behind the scheme.

He urged more people to come forward with information.