Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said this evening that the government's decision to reduce electricity tariffs by 25% was based on an average price per unit of 9c6.

Replying to a question in parliament by Nationalist MP Kristy Debono on calls by some social partners for a further reduction of tariffs, Dr Mizzi said talks were being held with the GRTU, the Chamber of Commerce and others and they were understanding the Enemalta financials. At the same time, the talks included initiatives to help businesses, such as in energy efficiency, which was how the bills would be reduced.   

The government's programme, he said, was based on a mix of energy sources. Generation from gas would cost 6c7 per unit, renewable energy would cost some 15c while energy through the interconnector cost between 4c to 18c according to time and use.

For a lot of time when Malta needed electricity, Italy did not have much of a surplus and the cost was high, he said. There were also occasionally limitation by the suppliers on the use of the interconnector. At one time last week it was 50 megawatts.