Malta could face infringement proceedings if it continues to lag behind in its 2020 renewable energy targets, the European Commission has warned.

It noted in a report released earlier this week that Malta was the furthest from meeting its targets compared to the 27 other member states.

It warned the island, together with the Netherlands and the UK, that if they did not make additional efforts to reach their energy targets, it would not exclude taking legal action against them.

Most of the 28 member states are expected to reach a 20 per cent renewable energy production threshold by 2020.

However, a deal struck with the Commission in 2008 allows Malta to settle for a 10 per cent sustainable energy level instead. At the moment, just two per cent of locally-produced energy comes from renewable sources. The latest figures show the island failed to reach its 2011 and 2012 renewable energy targets and is not on track to meet any of its future benchmarks either.

More on the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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