National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

The Maltese Government Policy towards energy efficiency is a multi-faceted one. In fact in its
Pre Budget Document 2009, Government announced that a series of actions will be taken
with a view to contribute towards one or more of the following objectives:
• motivate the public sector to become a role model in energy efficiency;
• promote increased awareness and behavioural change by consumers on an individual
level through communications campaigns;
• adopt financing instruments and economic incentives targeting all sectors to stimulate
further the take up of more efficient technologies and processes;
• take advantage of international efforts, in particular at EU level, to ensure that more
efficient energy using products become available to the consumer;
• use legislation, such as the energy performance in buildings, to set standards for
energy performance in buildings. These Regulations will be enforced by 1st January
2009 in accordance with the provisions of the Directive; and
• conduct research in energy efficient technologies and practices suitable for adoption in
Malta.
Over the past three years, Government has introduced an Energy Saving Government
Rebate scheme with a view to promote energy saving appliances. Within this context, over
27,000 persons 41 benefited from this scheme.
Energy Efficiency in Products
The majority of consumers in Malta are aware of the importance of choosing Class ‘A’ energy
efficient appliances. This result has been achieved through the Government scheme which
was available over the past years which promoted energy efficiency in appliances.
The Maltese Government acknowledges that there is a general lack of information and
awareness about energy efficiency. Within this context, an information campaign focusing on
specific energy consumption sectors will be re-launched during 2009. In addition,
Government will launch schemes to promote energy efficiency in the non-domestic sector will
also be launched.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings
In order to further promote energy efficiency in building, the Maltese Government will revise
the existing legal framework with a view to ensure energy efficient techniques in new
buildings, renovated buildings and public buildings.
Within this context, Government has proposed a renewable energy project for the Gozo
General Hospital. This project includes a solar thermal system, Photovoltaic and the
replacement of the existing fossil fuel driven boiler by a gas fired one. This is expected to
reduce the current carbon dioxide emission levels from the boiler by approximately 450
tonnes. Moreover, the project will also eliminate 1 tonne of SO 2 emitted annually. The solar
panels proposed under this project will contribute to the energy savings target indicated in the
National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2007 by reducing the hospital’s traditional energy
consumption by 300MWh per annum.
Connecting Malta to Europe’s energy networks
A study on the best way to link Malta to the European Grid is underway and being carried out
by Lahmeyer International. The options for future expansion of on-island generation capacity
together with natural gas via pipeline interconnection or liquefied natural gas as alternatives to
the existing fuel oil/ gas oil mix are also under review. The possible synergy of this project
with the production of ‘green energy’ from wind farms is also within the purview of this study.
41 Data provided by the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs
Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 43 -