LNG tanker moved to 'storm mooring position' ahead of 50 knot winds
All mitigating measures are being implemented to ensure that demand is secured, energy ministry says
The Delimara LNG tanker has been hunkered down ahead of Storm Harry battering the country with force 8 winds later on Monday and Tuesday.
In Marsaxlokk – directly in the path of the southeast wind - wind gusts are expected to go up to 50 knots in the early hours on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the energy ministry said the tanker was moved to a storm-mooring position, as per pre-established procedures. The system allows the tanker to be towed a short distance away from the jetty and hunkered down when the sea gets too rough for it to safely operate.
When the storm mooring system is in use, the tanker is disconnected from the jetty and no longer able to supply LNG to the Electrogas plant.
Winds of up to 50 knots are forecast for Marsaxlokk in the early hours of Tuesday. Photo: AFP“All mitigating measures are being implemented to ensure that demand is secured," the spokesperson said.
The privately owned power station provides a sizeable chunk of energy to the national grid, which in the past has led the Nationalist opposition to quip that Malta has been lumped with a power station that only works “in good weather”.
Malta’s second-largest plant, known as BWSC, is also partially reliant on supply from Electrogas.
In 2023, the powerful Storm Helios saw the Electrogas power plant effectively grind to a halt as the tanker had to be pulled away from its jetty for safety reasons.
Following that storm, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli moved to reassure the country that the government could keep the lights on should the tanker need to be disconnected in a prolonged storm. This is known as Enemalta’s ‘N minus 1’ policy.
The Meteorological Office at Luqa issued a red (take action) warning on Monday morning, noting that the east-southeast wind will be very strong over the islands, increasing to gale force.
Late on Sunday, the Civil Protection Department warned the public to avoid rooftops, balconies and hillsides overnight.
A CPD spokesperson told Times of Malta no incidents were reported overnight.
It renewed its warning on Monday morning, urging people to also avoid working on scaffolding and exposed structures.
The Gozo Channel has warned that there might be cancellation of some trips or the suspension of service between Malta and Gozo. Current operations are being operated to Cirkewwa South Quay and delays are expected.
Virtu Ferries has cancelled all trips between Malta and Siciliy for Monday and Tuesday.
The winds are much higher than average for January, which is around 8.9 knots.