Gas pipeline connection, tanker exit by 2024

● Planning process to take three and a half years

The gas pipeline between Malta and Italy is planned to be up and running by 2024, Energy Minister Joe Mizzi announced yesterday morning.

Now in the “milestone phase” of submissions of applications for permits in both Malta and Italy, when functioning, the €322 million pipeline will replace the temporary FSU gas tanker currently berthed in Delimara, linking to the Terminal Station in Gela, Italy.

Speaking at a news conference, Mizzi said that an application for development had been submitted to the Italian Economic Development Ministry as well as Malta’s Planning Authority.

Calling the project the “next critical step in the National Energy Policy,” CEO of Energy and Water Agency Daniel Azzopardi said that the project was a European Commission ‘Project of Common Interest’ (PCI). He explained that PCI projects benefitted from a set of ‘perks’, including accelerated permitting procedures and eligibility for financial support. The planning process will take about three and a half years.

Within that time, the government will commission environmental impact studies and marine surveys of the offshore route, which will cost €8 million and should be finished by 2019. Azzopardi added that a public company would be set up in the process in order to manage and operate the project.

The permits to be handed in by 2020 will then be followed by completing the project which should take between 24 and 36 months.

The 159 kilometre-long pipeline will be laid on the seabed at a maximum depth of 159 metres and will be capable of delivering two billion cubic metres of natural gas per year to fuel the power plants in Delimara and other future emerging markets.

Azzopardi explained how the European Union is trying to end the energy isolation of member states. He said that Italy is “blessed with interconnectors,” and the link with Gela will be Malta’s gas network grid link with the rest of Europe.

Last month the basic design and route study were completed. The environmental studies will begin in mid-2018, following a public call for tenders, and completed in 201. The marine survey of the offshore route will also be conducted in 2018. This will be followed by the front-end engineering design study which is required for the preparation of a tender for the construction and laying of the pipeline. The government is in the process of applying for EU funding for the aforementioned studies, which are estimated to cost €8 million.