Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi announced further price cuts in the cost of fuel in April. The reason why the cuts will be in April, according to Minister Mizzi, is because government fuel hedging happens in 3 month increments.
The minister, however, was unable to reveal the amount fuel will actually reduce by, stating that this could prejudice Enemed's competitiveness. He stressed that petrol rates in Malta were actually lower than the EU average, but admitted that there is work to be done on diesel rates. Dr Mizzi added that this would be the 11th reduction under this administration.
Enemed, in the coming months, will also launch premium fuel products, Minister Mizzi announced, such as higher quality petrol and diesel.
He also said that Enemed makes normal profits off fuel, and does not make super-profits.
The Minister also spoke about better customer care at Enemalta, particularly in terms of feed-in tariffs for people who own and make use of photovoltaic panel systems. These tariffs are for when the over and above energy generated and then fed into the grid. Enemalta currently owes €5.4 million in outstanding feed-in tariffs.
To further facilitate the process of paying back the money owed, a letter will be sent out to all eligible for payments along with a form where one must enter personal details, including the bank account number into which the payments should be transferred.
It has also been announced that customers will no longer need to reapply after every payment, but will simply have to fill-in the forms and send them in, preferably by 14 March. Payments will also be made after two actual bills (not estimates) rather than after four actual bills, as is the current practice. This initiative, the minister said, would help reduce the bureaucratic process. The initiative will benefit 17,000 families and businesses.
2016 will see a focus on customer care for the Enemalta, however catching those involved in energy theft will still remain a high priority.
As for utility rates for businesses, and recent calls for further tariff reductions, the minister explained that government plans to take a sectoral approach, with initiatives aimed at individual sectors. As an example, he said that work is ongoing with the MHRA regarding energy saving measures.
Another 10 weeks of robbery - PN
In a statement, the PN said that as a result of the government’s decisions, families will be “stolen from” for another10 weeks. Each and every time they fill up with petrol or diesel.
Prices of fuel in Malta are amongst the highest in Europe. Diesel, said the PN, is the fourth highest while petrol is the eighth highest in Europe.
The PN said oil has gone down to a price of $30 per barrel, yet people in Malta are still paying exorbitant prices. It was a clear example, said the PN, of how taxpayers are paying for corruption.