PN clarifies renewable energy target after chatbot flags manifesto conflict

PN has clarified its renewable energy targets, after its own chatbot flagged “conflicting targets” within its electoral manifesto.

In its section on clean energy, the manifesto says Malta under a PN government would “reach the target of 30% renewable energy by 2030,” linking this to its plan to slash energy bills.

But in a separate section on innovation, just a few pages prior, the party says it is “aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2030”.

However, PN later clarified that the 30% figure is correct.

The discrepancy was first flagged by Energy Minister Miriam Dalli in a Facebook video on Tuesday afternoon.

PN initially pledges a 30% target.

The manifesto later lists a 50% goal.

Chatbot flags conflicting targets

PN’s chatbot, launched together with the manifesto on Monday evening, appears to be equally confused by the two pledges.

When asked “what percentage of renewable energy is the PN targeting by 2030?” the chatbot points to both proposals.

“There is a conflict in the target percentages for 2030: PROPOSAL 10 states 30%, while PROPOSAL 1 states 50%,” the chatbot says.

“Since there are conflicting targets, I need to address this directly,” it says, before launching into a detailed examination into which of the two pledges is correct.

PN's chatbot says there is a "conflict" in the manifesto's energy targets.

“PROPOSAL 10 is more recent in terms of file naming (10-FINAL vs 1-FINAL) and seems to be dedicated to energy,” it reasons.

Commendably, the bot says it is programmed “to answer exclusively based on the electoral programme contents and not to speculate,” meaning it has to figure out whether one of the two figures is an overarching target, rather than a specific one.

It does this by exploring the semantics of each pledge, noting that “’Nimmiraw għal 50%’ (aiming for 50%) is an aspiration, while ‘nilħqu 30%’ (reaching 30%) is a more definite commitment”.

The chatbot tries its best to explain its reasoning.

When asked the same question in Maltese, the chatbot again points to both measures. PN is “aiming to reach 30% of energy generated from renewable sources by 2030,” it says.

“Aside from this general aim, PN is also aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2030,” it later adds, pointing to the party’s plan to install roll out solar panel installations on public buildings nationwide.

A follow-up question, asking, “which is it, 30% or 50%?” prompted a vague reply, with the bot simply saying the PN has “two main proposals that mention 30%”.

One is its renewable energy target and the other is an (unrelated) measure to introduce a tax credit for NGOs, it says.

PN clarifies pledge

When asked about the discrepancy, a PN spokesperson said the party is ultimately aiming to reach 30% renewable energy over the next four years.

“The correct figure is the one in the relevant chapter, i. e. the energy chapter,” the spokesperson said. “This is in line with our energy plan published some years back.  30% by 2030 of renewable energy”.