Last Updated on Thursday, 5 December, 2024 at 12:36 pm by Andre Camilleri
The Government has launched a public call to develop Malta’s first offshore renewable energy project, located 12 nautical miles off the Maltese coast within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Speaking at a press conference at Fort St. Angelo alongside Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli, Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted that this project will strengthen Malta’s position as a hub in the Mediterranean through investment in renewable energy.
Earlier today, an international call, known as a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) was issued, inviting the private sector to participate in this floating wind turbine project. The PQQ outlines the key details of the project and allows interested parties to demonstrate their technical and financial capabilities. This information will then be used to shortlist the highest-ranking companies for the next stage. Only the top five candidates will proceed to the subsequent cycle, known as the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD). At this stage, these five candidates will submit initial proposals that will serve as a basis for discussions. Following the dialogue phase, a competition for the Best and Final Offer (BAFO) will be launched.
The PQQ process, encompassing submission, evaluation, verification checks, and shortlisting, is planned to conclude by the end of next year, a PQQ factsheet document read. “Subsequent phases, including detailed proposals, discussions with shortlisted candidates, and a final call for offers, will follow accordingly. Gate checks at each stage will ensure alignment with national objectives.”
The document highlights that the wind farm will have an installed capacity of around 300MW, equating to nearly one-third of Malta’s current electricity consumption. Regarding permitting for the project it states that the government has already conducted a strategic environmental assessment through the finalization of a national policy and is still collaborating with national entities to streamline the permitting process. “Final permits will be the responsibility of the selected developer, contingent on site-specific project details.”
It also reads that the scale of the project will create opportunities for Malta’s technical, financial, and educational sectors, fostering local expertise and economic growth.
Prime Minister Robert Abela emphasized that the launch is a crucial step from words to implementation. Abela explained that this project will enhance Malta’s energy diversification and increase the use of renewable energy. He reiterated the vision of positioning Malta as a clean energy hub in the Mediterranean. “This technology continues to evolve, and our country is ready to shape a sustainable future,” said the Prime Minister, noting that challenges posed by climate change can be transformed into opportunities.
He stressed that as Malta’s economy aims for its next leap forward in terms of quality, it must produce more clean energy by harnessing natural resources like wind and solar power. Abela described the project as one that will deliver collective benefits and emphasized the Government’s belief in the private sector as a strategic partner in helping Malta achieve its goals, including becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Minister Miriam Dalli described the project as significant for both the energy and environmental sectors. “This project is not only crucial for energy generation but will also have a positive environmental impact. It addresses Malta’s space limitations in a sustainable manner. Unlike other proposals discussed in the past, this project has been meticulously planned,” Minister Dalli said. She added that Malta’s vision, aligned with European goals, is for the Mediterranean to become a clean energy hub. “Malta is taking the lead in achieving this goal, having united Mediterranean countries to establish this principle,” concluded Minister Dalli.
