The government will increase its previous €15 million investment for 2024 in the energy distribution system up to €30 million because climate change is happening faster than predicted, said the Prime Minister in an interview on the Labour Party’s radio station.
Back in February last year Energy Minister, Miriam Dalli, made the announcement of a €90 million investment in improving transmission from distribution centres to substations and strengthening electricity distribution.
She had also said that the investment was going to plan out for 6 years, €15 million each year.
Abela informed social partners during an MCESD meeting which took place on Friday that for 2024 the plan is going to be doubled.
He said that the original plan was based on expert whether advice which predicted that the current weather brought about by climate change was not due to happen “years from now”, however the PM said that these predictions are “already here with us now”.
Moreover, he reminded how Malta will also be benefitting from an addition €70 million, an investment which it had request back in April as part of the RePowerEU Chapter.
The investment, which Dalli said needs to be used all by 2026, will go towards upgrading and expanding the country’s electric grid, including the installation of batteries.
At the MCESD meeting the government has also announced the setting up of a national authority to address the climate change effects. He said that this new authority will be raising awareness on climate issues “which is key” to bringing change.
Zeroing on Malta’s carbon footprint, he said that its very minimal when compared to other nations.
Delving into other projects taken on by the government in efforts to decrease the carbon footprint, Abela spoke about how it was a PL government which made free public transport for all and invested together with the private sector in the building of energy efficient schools.
On the PN’s proposal to liberalise the energy distribution sector, the PM pointed out how the opposition wants to increase competition for “Enemalta workers”, despite “having worked tirelessly in the last few days”.
The Nationalist Party on Friday presented nine proposals for what it said would lead to the strengthening of the country’s electricity grid and distribution. One of the main proposals is the liberalisation of the energy distribution sector.
Commenting on the proposals in general, the PM said how when asked “the opposition could not provide the expense in details”, adding that on the contrary the government had the cost of its plan estimated when presenting it to the social partners during the MCESD meeting.
During the interview Abela was also asked on the publication of the magisterial inquiry into the death of 20-year old Jean Paul Sofia.
The Prime Minister said that he kept his promise to publish the report once it was provided by the Attorney General. Commenting on the decision to publish the conclusion of the inquiry “as soon as it was sent to me”, Abela said that he wants “full transparency” on the case and that he wants for the publication to raise awareness on the construction industry.
He spoke about the licensing of contractors legislation which has come into force, saying that those who do not abide by the law will have to pay the consequences.
Abela was also asked about the European Parliament elections taking place June 2024.
The Labour Party has approved three new candidates who are Dr. Marie Elise Agius, Dr. Daniel Attard and Dr. Marija Sara Vella Gafà.
He said that all three of them will constantly work in favour of Malta “and not just where it suits them”.
On the long term plan the government has for Malta in the EU he said that future works will be based on “work surrounded by people’s aspirations with an expenditure focus on the general upkeep of our country”.