In what is undoubtedly welcome news for at least the residents of Marsa, the European Union has left Malta with two options on the Marsa power station: by 1 January 2008 the plant’s operational hours will either need to be cut in half or significant reductions in its emissions will have to be seen in to meet with EU standards.
The ultimatum was confirmed this week by European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas in reply to questions on the thorny issue tabled by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat.
The EU directive on Large Combustion Plants will require the Marsa plant’s emissions to be cut significantly by the beginning of 2008. If this is not achievable, Malta could alternatively choose to draw up a national emission reduction plan, encompassing both the Marsa and Delimara plants, that would provide for the same overall reduction to stipulated levels. This, however, could be very difficult to achieve without making heavy reductions to Marsa’s emissions, as Delimara is already compliant with the exception of an outstanding dust emissions issue.
Additionally, Malta could avoid having to cut emissions altogether by agreeing to reduce the Marsa power station’s annual operational hours from the current 40,000 to not more than 20,000 between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015.
Although the Maltese authorities have confirmed that Malta will comply with one of the two options, neither appears particularly plausible.
Halving Marsa’s operational hours would undoubtedly wreak havoc on the islands’ electricity supply, as the Marsa and Delimara plants already struggle to meet the increased demand levels of recent years, especially in the peak winter and summer months.
The option of capping Marsa’s emissions at EU-compatible levels does not appear to be a realistic option either. The EU’s Ambient Air Quality Directive, which came into force last year, requires member States to limit emissions of SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and PM10 (particulate matter) at stipulated levels beginning in 2005. Limits for nitrogen dioxide, half of which, according to MEPA, originate from transport, will come into force in 2010.
Replying to Mr Muscat this week, Commissioner Dimas confirmed that data supplied by Malta for 2004 shows SO2 and PM10 emissions had exceeded both the acceptable limits and the margin of tolerance. This, he said, “would require the development of plans and programmes and to report those to the Commission at the latest by the end of 2006”. Malta’s air quality data for 2005 is due in September, after which the Commission is to carry out another assessment.
In addition to the air quality and combustion plant directives, the Marsa power station will also need to comply with the Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control and be awarded an IPPC permit, to be issued by MEPA, by October 2007.
The permit ensures an integrated approach to pollution control and stringent environmental and human health protection levels.
As for the Delimara power station, dust emissions remain a problem. Malta had negotiated a transitional period that expired last year but further modifications to the plant’s boilers are needed to meet EU requirements. Tenders for the modifications are being adjudicated at present, Enemalta said this week.
Enemalta added that it has spent thousands of pounds to reduce emissions, including introducing low sulphur content fuel and installing precipitators.
More measures are clearly needed. Renewable energies, even with their full potential harnessed, will mitigate the problem to a certain extent but will not solve it. It is hoped that recently floated concepts such as the introduction of greener equipment at Malta’s power stations or a connection to an international power grid will be realised.