The Nationalist Party is insisting that any decisions regarding the new gas plant at Delimara need to be taken after carrying out detailed risk assessment studies to avoid any negative repercussions.

Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters in Pieta this afternoon, former minister George Pullicino flanked by PN MPs Toni Bezzina and Charlo Bonnici, said that the aim is to ensure that government makes an informed and justified decision. He said that the previous administration had considered a similar project but decided against it on various grounds and opted for a pipeline. He also made the point that in some areas the project description statement has departed from the original proposal on which the PL was elected to government last March.

Mr Pullicino said that at this stage this is a preliminary comment as further statements may be made in due course. He was also keen to stress that the PN is in favour of gas, albeit through the use of a pipeline rather than having permanent storage facilities.

Mr Pullicino added that a €1 million feasibility study financed by the EU which was commissioned by the previous administration, is already underway.

He asked whether screening will take place on the strategic environmental impact assessment. While acknowledging that government has a mandate to build this power station, he said that it still needs to verify that it makes an informed decision on the basis of comparative studies.

The former minister said that during the Delimara power station extension, MEPA had requested a cost benefit analysis and so this exercise must be carried once again.

He said that the power purchase agreement will result in the generation of an additional 300MW over and above the peak demand which is usually around 430MW. This means less use on the interconnector and so there needs to be further analysis to verify whether there will be an increase in emissions.

Mr Pullicino also claimed that according to the PDS the gas storage facilities at Marsaxlokk will no longer be of 60,000 cubic metres but triple this amount - meaning three times the size of the Mosta dome. He said that this further confirms the safety concerns raised during the election campaign by the PN.

Mr Pullicino said that risk assessment studies need to be carried out to learn about the risks of having a fireball or the consequences of a gas leak on the nearby population.

He said that one of the options is to have the storage tanks on a floating vessel, moored permanently at Delimara. This vessel will be 300 metres long and 15 storeys high, thus obstructing the ridge completely. The situation will be even worse when there is an additional vessel for refuelling. Mr Pullicino remarked that these points raise serious questions about the aesthetic impact as well as any potential hazards.

This vessel will also warrant a 400 metre quay, which will pose additional problems due to the low depth of the sea. This means that the quay will have to protrude a significant distance away from the shore. There will also be a no-go zone of up to 250 metres as a safety precaution, thus limiting considerably marine traffic.

According to the PDS it may also be necessary to remove or relocate the existing Has Saptan underwater fuelling facility. Mr Pullicino asked whether the financial considerations of this relocation are being factored in. He asked whether huge dredging works will be needed and at what cost.

Mr Pullicino said that wave modelling studies to analyse the impact even on the Freeport have to be carried out. He reiterated that a detailed risk assessment study needs to be carried out to ensure that this facility is in conformity with the Seveso directive. The PN is also stressing that a social impact assessment must be carried out.