Enemalta and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday issued a joint press release with regard to the compliance of the Marsa and Delimara power plant with a number of environmental directives.

The press release was issued after the European Commission published a statement following a question by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat. Mr Muscat had raised the issue of the polluting effects of the power stations.

Mepa and Enemalta said the two power stations fall under the Large Combustion Plant Directive.

Marsa power station

Enemalta and Mepa said that this power station was classified as an “existing” plant and has to either comply with emissions limits for a new plant by 1 January 2008 or may only be operated for 20,000 hours from that date. They both confirmed that the station will comply with the directive.

Delimara power station

This is classified as a “new” plant and has to comply with the emission limit values specified in the directive.

For the original steam plant (phase 1), Malta negotiated a transition period for dust emissions which expired on 31 December last year. In spite of continuing efforts to reduce these emissions to the required levels, additional modifications of the boilers are required. Tenders have been issued and are being adjudicated. All other parts of the Delimara plant are compliant, said Mepa and Enemalta.

Emissions’ monitoring

The directive requires continuous emissions monitoring for sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide and dust. The installed monitoring equipment at the power stations was a few months ago damaged beyond repair in separate incidents by a lightning strike. Enemalta said that it was in the process of replacing the equipment. Monitoring is still taking place using portable instruments and data is being collected monthly and will be published in the near future.

Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive

The Directive requires that all IPPC designated installations will have IPPC permit by 30 October 2007, to be issued by Mepa.

Enemalta said it had applied for a permit within the timeframes established. The application is being processed by Mepa.

Air Quality Framework Directive

Mepa is responsible for the monitoring of air quality under the Air Quality Framework Directive and others related. Mepa manages an air monitoring programme, consisting of a diffusion tube network and real time measurement of pollutants. Analysis of the programme was reproduced in the State of the Environment Report 2005.

From national emission inventories prepared by Mepa, it was important to note that about half the emissions of NOX originate from transport. The origins of ambient air dust are not yet clearly identified, although the construction industry and transport are major contributors.

The two entities said that it was important to note that Enemalta had taken a number of decisions and actions costing thousands of liri in order to reduce sulphur emissions from its power stations. The introduction of low sulphur fuel and operation of precipitators is just an example of such initiatives. In addition, Enemalta was planning to further reduce emissions and increase efficiency through the modernisation of replacement of its generating plant.

The statement from Mepa and Enemalta however raises more questions than it answers, Labour MEP Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Mr Muscat asked what the plan was for the Marsa plant, when the plan had been drafted and how it was going to be implemented. He also asked whether the aim was to reduce emissions or operating hours.

He also asked why the public was kept in the dark when the Delimara dust emissions were found not to be in conformity with the directives.

With regard to portable emissions monitoring equipment, he asked: “Does it give the same type of results? Why was the public not informed?”

In conclusion, Mr Muscat asked: “Will the government, without beating round the bush, certify without any reservations, that the Delimara and Marsa plants are not causing specific pollution to the air?” He said he expected clear and concrete answers to his questions without delay.