No portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi today launched a new public-private partnership initiative, in association with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, to encourage energy saving efforts in the hotel sector.

“We will be launching an award based on energy efficiency,”Dr Mizzi said. Thus the government will be encouraging the efficient use of energy.

Rewards will be given through a point system which is then transferred in cash. This money will be used for new energy efficient projects.

There will be a one million euro fund for the first year of the project.

The government has been working on this project for the past 18 months. Phase one was the legal study entrusted to Deloitte. The second phase will see the formal policy writing of the scheme and criteria for benchmarking. The third phase will see implementation of support tools.

Minister Mizzi said the government has speeded support so that the 2020 renewable energy targets are reached.

Malta was rated in last place by the European Union this week in terms of renewable efficiency use.