The suggestions put forward in your leader Generating power (TMID, 5 May) are worth commenting about.

Alternative sources of energy you mentioned, such as wind and solar power, would be of great benefit to the Maltese islands.

For one thing, it would save the country millions of liri that are used to purchase fossil fuels that generate electricity.

Of course, there needs to be a strong investment in these areas, but in the long term, Malta would be saving money, especially if the price of oil on the international markets remains as high as it is today or climbs even higher.

Secondly, wind and solar power are less harmful to the environment than is the use of fossil fuels. And therefore Malta would be benefiting on two counts – fewer expenses and a better environment.

I agree with you that successive governments have paid little attention to alternative sources of energy over the years. Their interest in such matters has come in fits and starts and there was never any real analysis of what Malta could do to find other means for its power.

I hope that the recent interest that has been shown by Enemalta Corporation in alternative sources of energy will be pursued and maintained. It is a known fact that Malta cannot continue to rely only on fossil fuels to generate power. I hope that we are not too late in coming up with other solutions.

Michael Farrugia

Sliema