Sustainable Energy Minister Leo Brincat believes that Malta is on the right track in its attempt to reach EU imposed renewable energy targets.
Mr Brincat told the Malta Independent – “I wouldn’t dare say whether we will reach our targets or not, however, signs are very encouraging and the strong push for solar farms including a recent call for expressions of interest by MEPA, show that we are heading in the right direction”.
The Minister was responding to questions by this newsroom and said that “government has gone for a more practical approach by shifting most of its emphasis on solar energy. With the new push for solar farms we should be in a better position to address a deficit that has been accumulating over the years”.
The Minister stressed that this does not mean the government has any ideological tint against wind energy, “however, purely within a local context wind energy did not make much sense as it would in Scotland or certain other countries”.
Discussing the focus on solar energy, the Minister said that it is the life motif other similar countries. “The general line of thought among the Southern European and North African countries points towards solar energy”. He added that those with wind potential will also explore that option.
He stressed that the same model cannot be applied to different countries as there is no “one size fits all”.
Malta’s renewable energy target for 2020 is lower than that of other EU countries, the Minister stressed, due to Malta starting late. 10% of Malta’s energy by that date must come from renewable energy sources.
“It doesn’t make much difference as to where the renewable energy is sourced from as long as the targets are met, or almost met”.
He said that a strong push is being made to identify areas that can maximize the potential in terms of land use and energy generation.
According to reports last December, government said that it was targeting to have 2.7 km2 of solar farms to produce 5% of the renewable energy target, with the rest being provided for through the use of biofuels, heat pumps, waste energy and solar water heaters.