In a report calling for an EU strategy for LNG and gas storage, a vast majority of Members of the European Parliament called for "for rigorous harmonised safety rules and training for LNG storage".
In a statement, PN MEPs welcomed the vote, underlining that the report also "emphasises the need for impact assessments to be made to ascertain the added value of constructing new LNG transport and storage infrastructure".
“It is good that the European Parliament has acknowledged that safety rules and impact assessments are paramount with LNG and that MEPs underlined that the added value of any new LNG infrastructure must first be ascertained. This is important in Malta’s context where Konrad Mizzi’s gas tanker is both unnecessary and more expensive,” said the PN MEPs.
“In Malta the issue is that rather than providing electricity through continuing with the Gas Pipeline project or through the interconnector, this Labour Government insists on berthing a massive LNG tanker in the middle of Marsaxlokk Bay. This will affect people’s daily lives in the region and would mean electricity is generated at a much higher cost," added the PN MEPs.
'Liquefied Natural Gas is the way forward' – MEP Miriam Dalli
Liquefied Natural Gas is the ideal fuel alternative to reach the EU's energy and climate targets, Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said during a plenary session of the European Parliament which discussed a report on the EU's strategy on LNG and gas storage.
Dr Dalli said this resource is the way forward to substantially reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, and replace the current fuel-based system with a low-carbon future. The fact that LNG is being foreseen to run vehicles and maritime vessels further backs this notion.
“This strategy acknowledges that LNG and gas storage will contribute towards ending energy isolation that affects Member States such as Malta and Cyprus. This reflects a key objective of the EU’s Energy Union that all Member States should have access to liquid gas markets, as agreed in a directive adopted earlier this year,” MEP Miriam Dalli said.
She explained that this is an advanced technology where the global market is still booming, and the EU and its Member States should not simply stay out of it.
Dr Dalli concluded that as indicated in the report discussed in this week's plenary session, use of LNG instead of a fuel-based system will bring more stable and competitive energy prices, a reduction in CO2 emissions and further long-term economic benefits.