Experts will be carrying out detailed studies on the feasibility of developing three wind farms – an offshore development at Sikka l-Bajda, and two land-based developments in Wied Rini in Bahrija, and Hal Far.
In view of the country’s commitment to generate 10 per cent of all the energy consumed (final energy consumption, not electricity alone) from clean sources by 2020, the government is seeking to generate about 4.8 per cent of that energy from the proposed wind farms.
Four per cent will be generated from the offshore wind farm, and another 0.8 per cent from the land based installations.
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In 2005, when the Malta Resources Authority (MRA) carried out a consultation process with local government agencies, a number of concerns were raised over the possible negative impacts of offshore wind farm development.
However, the positive experience of large-scale wind turbines in the marine environment in other countries over the past decade, led the Committee for Wind Energy to conclude that Sikka l-Bajda provides a very good chance to exploit the offshore wind farm technology now widely used in Europe.
The reef is about 1.5 kilometres off Rdum tal-Madonna at Ahrax tal-Mellieha. A maximum of 19 large turbines would be installed on the reef, which reaches a maximum depth of 35 metres.
The Committee for Wind Energy has also earmarked Wied Rini in the limits of Bahrija/Mtahleb, and the Hal Far industrial site as possible areas for the development of two small onshore wind farms. Up to 12 turbines would be installed in Wied Rini, and a maximum of five in Hal Far.
Further technical studies (including high quality onsite wind measurements, wind flow analysis, geophysical and geotechnical studies) will now be carried out, together with an assessment of the impact on the environment, aviation and marine activities.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi addressed a press conference together with Resources Minister George Pullicino yesterday, saying that no decisions have yet been taken on any of the three developments proposed for consultation and for further studies.
After all the necessary studies are carried out, and should the three projects be found to be feasible, the government plans to issue calls for expressions of interest for the wind farms to be built by the private sector. The government would then buy the electricity generated from the wind farms.
The offshore wind farm project is expected to cost between e280 million and e355 million, the Wied Rini project between e13 million and e18 million, and the Hal Far project between e5.5 million and e7.5 million.
The planning process begins with the submission of the project description statements for the proposed sites to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa).
The wind farms will be decommissioned after about 20 to 25 years, by which time new technologies and possible developments would be looked into.
Dr Gonzi said the decision to look into wind farm development is an environmental decision that would have a positive impact on people’s health. Wind farm development would also improve the country’s competitiveness, he said.
Minister Pullicino, on his part, said: “It’s time for action. Clean energy costs more than conventional energy, but we would be saving the environment big amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.”
He expressed optimism in the projects, saying he has already started meeting stakeholders, including local councils.
“This is the beginning of a long, open process. The committee of experts on climate change have suggested that the country uses a renewable energy mix, which would give us more security supply in the provision of clean energy.”