Gasco Energy has submitted an application to MEPA for a full development permit for the building and operation of a €25m LPG bottling and storage facility at Benghajsa.

Gasco Energy last November took over the management of Enemalta's Gas Division.

The company, a joint venture between Multigas Limited and Liquigas S.p.A. of Italy, had committed itself to build and operate a new storage and bottling plant, fully respecting the stringent EU criteria as established in the Seveso II Directives. They investment will include a pipeline from the importation terminal to the facility, new LPG storage tanks, a cylinder filling plant, a cylinder testing plant, and an administration building.

Roberto Capelluto, Gasco Energy’s CEO, said: “In its submission to MEPA, Gasco Malta has also submitted a series of renderings portraying a visualisation of the new plant. Once MEPA approves the Benghajsa installation project, Gasco Energy will be building the installation over a span of nearly three years. Gasco Energy will then transfer operations from Qajjenza to Benghajsa thus eliminating any risk the Qajjenza plant currently has due to its present location."

He said Gasco Energy will significantly increase LPG storage facilities and therefore will be securing a continuous, adequate supply of liquefied petroleum gas to cater for present and future requirements of the Maltese market.

"The company will be maximizing the efficiency of gas bottling and storage operations through the application of modern technology and efficient work practices, while ensuring that appropriate quality, environmental and health standards are maintained at all times.”

On February 1, 2009, Liquigas Malta Ltd - a sister company to Gasco Energy - took over the gas distribution business from Enemalta.

Enemalta is still responsible for the gas cylinder filling operations at the Qajjenza plant.