New Delimara plant to be operational ‘in next few weeks’
Minister Without Portfolio within the Office of the Prime Minister Konrad Mizzi yesterday told journalists that the new Delimara power station will be operational “in the next few weeks”, and that it will be providing up to 200 MW of clean energy.
Dr Mizzi was speaking at a press conference convened in Delimara yesterday morning just before the MV Galea tanker sailed into port carrying a consignment of LNG that will be used to lower the tank temperature of the Armada LNG Mediterrana, which is serving as the Floating Storage Unit for the new gas-fired power station.
Once that operation is complete, the Armada LNG Mediterrana will be able to take on a full consignment of LNG that will be used to fire the new power station.
Addressing the media, Dr Mizzi, who was accompanied by EU Energy Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, hailed yesterday as a historic day for Malta, commenting: “Heavy fuel oil [as used by the BWSC power station] will soon become history,” he said.
“Three or four years ago, we set a vision to reduce energy tariffs. I am pleased to say that in a few years, we would have managed to eliminate the use of heavy fuel oil completely.”
Energy tariffs are among the lowest in Europe, Dr Mizzi said, adding that Enemalta’s debt is now under control.
Dr Mizzi also said he is “proud to say Marsa (power station) will be closed forever”.
Commissioner Šefčovič, on his part, remarked that Malta is perfectly prepared for the EU presidency and that the European Commission has always supported the government’s vision to make Malta cleaner. He said that Malta’s energy plan abides by EU guidelines.
Speaking on PBS later in the evening, Dr Mizzi said that all the contracts related to the power station will be published in the coming days.