Momentum has called to adjust national energy subsidies so that instead of being offered as a blanket measure to all, the government can "protect what households need, charge those who can afford it, and invest the difference in clean energy."

These were the words of Momentum founder and leader Arnold Cassola as his party called for superyachts, private jets, and luxury leisure craft to stop benefitting from energy subsidies and pay full standard levies.

"Superyachts, private jets and luxury leisure craft would pay full carbon and environmental taxes as well as the excise duty normally levied on the fuel," the third party proposed on Sunday.

Momentum has proposed "full subsidy protection," i.e., no changes from the present subsidies, for "essential household energy use and small businesses, with standard rates applied to excessive consumption."

The third party said that while Prime Minister Robert Abela has remained firm that energy and fuel subsidies aren't going anywhere and shall be kept at their current level, Momentum believes that "the question is not whether to subsidise, but who."

Momentum has also proposed to begin phasing out energy and water subsidies for commercial tourist accommodations over a three-year period.

In addition, it wants fuel subsidies and tax exemptions to be restricted to public transport, scheduled passenger flights, and essential freight including food, medicine, and Gozo supply links.

Momentum also pitched for a tiered fee on commercial groundwater extraction by construction, brick manufacturing, bottling plants, hotels, and water bowser operators to come into force. According to the party's proposals, registered farmers would pay nothing in this regard while "all revenue would go to a ring-fenced Aquifer Restoration and Rainwater Harvesting Fund."

It stated that the savings gained through these changes should be reinvested in solar installations on government buildings, schools, industrial parks, extensive parking areas like those at the Ċirkewwa and Mġarr harbours, as well as towards battery storage grants for households and businesses, and community energy schemes for voluntary organisations.

The energy subsidies are costing the Maltese government around €400 million per year at the moment. The Maltese government has used up approximately €1.35 billion in public coffers to provide these subsidies since they were first introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.