Restaurants, bars, factories and other businesses which use more than 75,000kWh of electricity can now apply for up to €5,000 in rebates for the expenses incurred in trying to reduce their energy bills. 

Small and medium sized enterprises can apply for a refund after they undergo an energy audit, which helps property owners work out how energy efficient their buildings are. 

The scheme was launched by the Energy Ministry's Energy and Water Agency and is open until the end of next year or until funds are exhausted. It was developed in consultation with the Malta Business Bureau. A press release announcing the scheme did not say how much money had been budgeted for the initiative. 

Energy Minister Joe Mizzi said that energy audit recommendations did not always require a great deal of money to implement: in some cases, he said, all that was needed was a few minor adjustments to bring energy use down. 

The government was also eyeing other such schemes to help industries implement energy audit recommendations, the minister said, as he cited the country's 2020 energy efficiency targets. 

Mr Mizzi announces the policy. Photo: DOI/Reuben Piscopo