50 photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on the Gozo administration centre’s rooftop have generated more than 13,000kWh of electricity in the space of nine months, equivalent to the amount of electricity consumed by about 10 persons living in an average household.

The PV system, installed in December 2006 by the Gozo Ministry, is presently the largest renewable energy system in Malta. It is expected to generate at least five per cent of the energy consumed annually by the Gozo administration centre which houses the ministry and the majority of government offices on the island. The system is expected to reach an annual output of 17,000kWh. This translates into averting the release of about 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major constituent of greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere annually.

Speaking during this morning’s launch, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said the ministry has invested Lm25,000 (EUR58,234) in this initiative as part of its Green Programme to improve its practices in favour of the environment. Minister Debono spoke about the several environment-friendly initiatives that were taken by the ministry for Gozo’s Green Office since it was set up in 2005, including initiatives that reduce paper wastage, separation and management of office waste including obsolete batteries, and the sensible use of office stationery. In the case of the latter initiative, a set of labels facilitating both external and internal re-use of envelopes was produced. This measure has the potential of reducing the use of envelopes by 50 per cent.

Mrs Debono said the environment remained one of the government’s priorities, together with the economy and education. She referred to other projects currently underway by the Ministry for Gozo that would contribute to the preservation and improvement of the environment on and around Gozo.

Projects include the EU co-funded waste water treatment plant and the Dwejra rehabilitation projects, as well as the nationally-funded sewage master plan project. The government was also investing in the rehabilitation of the Qortin landfill while a civic amenity site and a waste transfer station were also in the pipeline.

David Zammit, managing director of Solar Solutions Ltd, also addressed the launch and spoke about the technology behind photovoltaic systems.