Malta may just about hit its 2020 target to have 10 per cent of its energy consumption from renewable sources. But this is probably going to happen through a system called statistical transfers, a procedure that transfers one country’s unused renewable energy to another.
But why is Malta lagging behind? The answer is an overall increase in population and economic and tourist activity. More people are living here than ever before, meaning more property needs to be developed, which often consists of apartments.
According to the draft National Energy and Climate Plan, the growth of the renewable sector in Malta is quite limited by policies which encourage redevelopment of two or three-storey accommodation into multi-storey blocks. “This leads to an increase in the frequency and depth of shadowing rooftops, which further reduces the number of buildings suitable for PV installations” - ooh, er.
Where are we heading?
The report says that in 20 years’ time, nearly 70 per cent of Malta’s buildings will be apartments and maisonettes. It also states that there is a “waning interest” in investing in renewable energy sources because of other prioritised opportunities, such as real estate.
A solution
The report suggests that a total footprint of around 3.4sqkm will be dedicated to solar energy by 2030. It also suggests that booth rooftop and brownfield sites continue being given priority for PV installations.
Unfortunately, unlike in larger countries, wind energy projects, both on and offshore, cannot be successfully implemented on the Maltese Islands due to the lack of near-shore coastal areas and reefs with depths of less than 50 metres.
What do you think of this sitch?