The Preliminary Market consultation (PMC) for the near offshore solar farms has been launched, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said.
The PMC aims to evaluate the readiness of the market for near offshore floating solar technology projects, focusing on photovoltaic farms, the government said.
The proposal suggests considering an initial site approximately four nautical miles off the coast of Malta for potential solar farm locations, pending confirmation through further technical and environmental studies.
After preliminary studies, the potential location identified has been allocated a potential capacity of 50 megawatts.
The floating solar farms located at the identified site will be directly connected to the national grid, linking to Delimara. Consultation with various government entities has confirmed the feasibility of this connection, she said. Additional studies will be undertaken to align with the submissions received during this Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC).
The government is inviting economic operators to provide information regarding the identified potential location, or any other site deemed feasible.
The PMC is designed to invite proposals from operators for implementing floating solar technology projects, such as photovoltaic farms, within the zone extending up to twelve (12) nautical miles from the coast of the Maltese Islands.
This initiative will enable the assessment of investor interest, enabling the Government to evaluate the current market readiness for such projects and to support the ongoing technical studies for a potential call for proposals, the government said.
On her part, Dalli said that floating solar farms would optimise land utilisation as the country would be maximising the use of available space without competing for valuable land resources.
The minister mentioned several key points regarding the advantages of implementing floating solar technologies.
She said that the reflective nature of water can significantly boost solar panel efficiency, coupled with lower operating temperatures in offshore environments, leading to increased energy generation.
It was also explained that deploying solar systems on water helps minimize the environmental impact, preserving natural habitats and ecosystems.
Floating solar farms, with their minimal visual impact, can be strategically positioned closer to shorelines, reducing transmission losses and enhancing overall efficiency, she said. These systems are adaptable to various water depths, enabling deployment in diverse aquatic environments. The minister underscored that investing in floating solar farms not only promotes energy diversification but also reduces reliance on external sources, fostering greater energy independence for Malta. Moreover, such investments can spur the development of other green economy innovations, positioning Malta as a leading hub for sustainable energy solutions, she said.
The Minister said that the PMC will remain open till the 24 of April.
Dalli assured that the consideration of nearshore floating solar photovoltaic farms does not exclude other offshore solar technology projects. However, she said that given the distance between the sea bed and water surface fixed wind turbines are being excluded.
The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour said it is also working on a separate process for investments in offshore renewable energy systems, such as floating wind farms, in Malta's exclusive economic zone. It said that a draft National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy was launched for public consultation in 2023. The final policy will be published in the coming months. Concurrently, the government also plans to issue a pre-qualification questionnaire to invite investors to propose offshore renewable energy projects.
The PMC document and further information can be found at www.rews.org.mt/pmc