Enemalta last week signed an agreement with an Italian company called Terra to help it prepare detailed feasibility studies on the laying of a power cable between Sicily and Malta, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt told Parliament today.

He said this power cable was one of the most important projects which Enemalta currently had in hand.

It was planned that the cable would have a capacity of 200MW, giving the country better security of supply and more elbow-room in the way it made its power purchases. It was also necessary in view of the fact that the Marsa power station is to cease generation in four years' time.

Dr Gatt also announced that Enemalta was also considering converting its power station turbines at Delimara to run on gas so that Malta can reduce its emissions and meet its EU targets. A call for expressions of interest for a long-term natural gas supply contract drew a response form three companies and Enemalta is expected to decide by next month whether to proceed on the basis of these submissions.

Enemalta is currently also in the process of considering offers to purchase new generation plant to increase power generation by 100 MW. Four bidders were short-listed and a contract is expected by the end of summer.