Families who live within a radius of 1.5km from the waste recycling plant in Marsascala are to be given a rebate on their electricity bill, Resources Minister George Pullicino said this morning.

He said that 3,000 families (7,000 individuals) will benefit. Each family will receive a rebate of 150 units per person, so that a family of four would receive €96 per year.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is one of the beneficiaries but has renounced his right to the rebate.

Addressing  a news conference, Mr Pullicino said increased use was being made of the waste at Sant' Antnin plant to generate electricity.

This electricity, he added, was also being used to heat the pool at the nearby Inspire centre, saving the NGO considerable costs.

This project, he said, was chosen by the EU as Malta's representative project in a showcase of European energy projects.

He said the new power rebate scheme would benefit some residents of Marsascala, Zabbar and Zejtun.

The minister noted that between January 2011 and September this year, the plant had filled 1,700 40-foot containers with recyclable waste which would have, otherwise ended in landfills. This waste was sold and exported for €3 million.