Friends of the Earth Malta is pleased to note that Government is finally taking the initiative on the renewable energy front by allocating money to develop an array of wind turbines that will eventually supply around 4% of our energy requirements.

This can be hailed as a positive step forward, which should eventually lead us to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels in the longer term. This would be of great benefit to our environment, our social commitments and sovereignty as a nation.

Friends of the Earth although very enthusiastic about this progress, is also cautious about the site selection process. FoE Malta believes that all major projects should undergo a serious Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process as much as we believe that delaying such a project will have more serious impacts to the well being of our planet.

FoE Malta believes that other sites, both offshore and onshore, should be assessed along with Sikka il-Bajda. That way if the EIA rules against Sikka l-Bajda, we will have backup sites. This will deal a great blow to Malta’s energy policy and would throw us back to square one; a blow that we can ill afford.

Friends of the Earth Malta is also glad that government is no longer considering deep offshore wind farms, which are still astronomically expensive and in experimental phase. Hence Malta should not consider them until they become fully established over the coming decades.

FoE sees nothing wrong in exploring the potential of onshore wind farms as long as they are sited in reasonable locations and planned on a scale appropriate to our landscape.. These could provide the cheaper and faster route towards our renewable future.

However, much more needs to be done in the development of clean and renewable energy at household level. The deployment of small-scale wind turbines and solar panels over the roofs of the Maltese houses should be encouraged and given the right importance, also with fiscal and economic incentives. Whilst many Maltese families are ready to invest in a cleaner future, the Government is not offering the appropriate incentives.