Malta exploring renewable energy options from North Africa
'In current international climate, a clear plan in energy sector is crucial' - Miriam Dalli
Malta will explore renewable energy projects in North Africa to help supply 25 per cent of its electricity demand, the Energy Minister announced on Friday.
Speaking at a conference organised by the Climate Action Authority, Miriam Dalli said a pre-market consultation has been issued with the aim of "starting to explore the possibility and viability" of renewable energy production projects in North Africa.
Dalli said that in the current international climate, “it is becoming increasingly clear how crucial it was for the government to remain focused with a clear plan in the energy sector”.
She reiterated that the government would continue to provide the necessary price stability, while also continuing to explore projects that can further prepare Malta for the future.
The pre-market consultation was published by Interconnect Malta. The consultation aims to gather technical information, including indicative costs, inviting economic operators to propose their projects.
“At this stage, the country will be exploring the possibilities that exist. We are evaluating feasibility and exploring options so that decisions can later be taken based on evidence,” Dalli said.
The call will consider various factors, including proposals that offer a balanced mix of resources from both solar and wind energy.
The Chief Executive Officer of Interconnect Malta, Ing. Ismail D’Amato, said the call is to facilitate the importation of 0.8 TWH of renewable energy annually, covering approximately 25 per cent of Malta’s 2025 electricity demand.
“The objective of this initiative is to explore the feasibility of a 'baseload' supply of renewable energy that reduces the intermittency of traditional renewables, while utilizing a 25-year fixed-price Contract for Difference framework aimed to provide long-term price stability and protection for Maltese families and businesses against the volatility of global fossil fuel markets,” D’Amato said.
The Energy Minister added work on the second interconnector is progressing well and that the process for the offshore wind electricity generation project outside Malta’s territorial waters is ongoing. Some of these projects are expected to start operating in the coming months.
She emphasised that the government’s “ambitions for innovation” should also send a signal to the investment and business community that the “stability being offered by the Government should act as a strong impetus for environmental transition”.