Gas distributors who have territorial exclusivity have been granted a concession to receive government subsidies for 15 years but in turn, distributors will be providing a door-to-door service, even in remote areas which are not considered as being commercially viable.

The notice was published in The Malta Government Gazette of 17 March and the decision to grant the concession was justified on grounds that energy poverty in Malta was above the EU average.

The notice did not specify how much this deal will cost the exchequer or the amount each distributor will take. However, EU law stipulates that the amount cannot exceed €500,000.

The government had said that the number of households unable to keep their home warm doubled since 2005 and by 2011, stood at 21.7%.