Offshore wind farm: Two sites identified as potential project location

Energy and Environment Minister Miriam Dalli has announced that two locations have been earmarked to be the potential single location to bring the country’s offshore wind farm plans to life.

While responding a parliamentary question tabled by PN’s Rebekah Borg, Dalli said that after extensive studies, two sites have now been identified as the potential offshore site to allow Malta to generate renewable wind energy. A marine study is currently underway to analyse the bathymetry (water beds) of the two sites.

The Minister added that these technical geotechnical analyses are necessary “to reduce uncertainties and technical and financial risks from the project.”

Interconnect Malta has reportedly already begun a geophysical survey of specific areas within Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This survey uses a specially equipped ship to map the bathymetry, identify seabed features, see the effect of pollution, and collect further seismic information about the seabed.

In the past few months, “the preparatory work for the call for investments in offshore floating windfarm systems in Malta’s exclusive economic zone has continued at a consistent pace,” according to Minister Dalli.

She described that initially, six potential areas were pinpointed and subjected to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Studies were conducted by technical consultants on all six areas through desktop studies and through these, the parameters of the project were determined, including what sites were most economically advantageous and which ones would have a lesser environmental impact during development.

Dalli concluded by stating that government entities, including Enemalta and Interconnect Malta, are collaborating together so that investments in public infrastructure for these projects can be ready “at the appropriate time” for energy to be then generated and distributed into the local grid.

This proposed offshore wind farm project featured importantly in the National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy.