An “interlocking agreement” has been reached between Enemalta, the Electrogas consortium and Shanghai Electric, Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi said during a public consultation meeting today.

“There will be no obligations to buy from any particular plant. Within the coming days the new timelines for the gas-fired plant will be announced,” he said.

He said “important decisions” had to be taken on the timing of the plant in order to “match” the investments being made by Shanghai Electric and Electrogas.

Shanghai Electric will be investing €320 million and running the BWSC plant, whereas the Electrogas consortium will build a new gas-fired plant that was supposed to be operational by March 2015.

On the health sector, Dr Mizzi said that in the past up to 130 medicines used to be out of stock. Now, less than five medicines are out of stock. He said people no longer feel the need to hoard as they know the medicines are available.

“Huge” advances in order management and stock control have been made in this regard, he said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne said waiting times for a number of operations have been slashed.

He announced that those suffering from Celiac disease will be given a voucher in order to buy gluten-free food.

He said a new consultant has been hired at the GU clinic and services at the clinic are now back to normal. There has been an international call for another consultant to be hired at the clinic.