Now that winter seems to have settled in and that it has increasingly become colder, Maltese consumers will be starting to feel the pinch of the revised electricity surcharge.

In Malta, we are somewhat lucky that our winter does not last long, but at the same time we must all admit that most of our houses need constant heating during the colder months because of the way they are built.

This means that, come next spring, when we all start receiving our water and electricity bills, we will all be getting a shock.

It might be even worse in summer because of the heat when the airconditioning units are switched on to make it more bearable.

The government has the responsibility and duty to invest in alternative energy and encourage consumers to privately do likewise. It is only when incentives are offered that people would start thinking of other, cheaper options.

I believe that the government has not done much in this regard.

M. Camilleri

Sliema