The Energy Efficient Appliances Rebate was adopted, as a one-year measure, by the government, in the budget 2007 to instil a change in mentality and practice among consumer, importers and retailers in favour of products that are more environment-friendly.

In a statement, the Finance, Economy and Investment Ministry said it wanted to clarify the situation with regard to the Energy Efficient Appliances Rebate following various comments and speculations reported in the media over the last few days.

By 2007, the government had already noticed an evident change in pattern towards environment-friendly purchasing trends. As declared in the budget speech for 2008, a new scheme targeting environment-friendly products was to be introduced this year through EU co-financing to further enhance the changes witnessed in consumer patterns in the field of energy conservation.

However, since it was not practical to introduce a new energy efficiency scheme, which is not necessarily limited or related to the same appliances, through EU funding in early 2008, the government voted a further e500,000 to extend the original energy efficient appliances rebate scheme. This vote has been exhausted, with e580,000 actually being paid, and consequently this led to its termination.

However, the government is considering extending the scheme until the Trade Fair in order to allow sufficient time for a new scheme to be introduced, the ministry said.

The environment is one of government’s top priorities, and indeed, sustainable energy will be one of the specific issues that will be dealt through the pre-budget consultations.