Two state-owned reservoirs to be covered by solar panels

A public-private-partnership signed yesterday paved the way for two state-owned reservoirs to be covered with some 13,000 square meters of solar panels, which are expected to produce roughly one megawatt of renewable energy each year.

A new company has been set up, Malta Energy Ltd, which is to facilitate the provision of renewable energy to the national supply. The General Retail and Trail Union (GRTU) and Water Services Corporation signed the shareholders’ agreement this afternoon.

The panels will be contributing towards Malta’s obligations of reaching EU 20/20/20 goals.

No portfolio minister Konrad Mizzi attendance of the ceremony, saying that the government is committed to a green energy policy.

The goal is for this government to generate 200 megawatts annually, stressing that it had installed and facilitated the generation of 90 megawatts over the past four years.

Dr Mizzi said that the private sector was a key player to reach Malta’s goals for renewable energy, providing the “push” needed.

The Water Services Corporation has provided the land, while the GRTU is issuing a call for expression for all those interested parties in supplying the necessary materials to enter the agreement. This would be the second agreement this month.

Just last week, the Water Services Corporation incorporated a company with the Malta Developers’ Association, called the Malta Developers Greed Energy Ltd.

It will be installing solar panels on other reservoirs and land owned by the Water Services Corporation. It plans to generate 1 megawatt of electricity.