Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1096093
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MARCH 2019 NEWS JAMES DEBONO MALTA may just scrape through its commitment to meet 2020 targets to have 10% of its energy consumption from renewable sources. But this will probably be achieved through "statistical transfers", an accounting pro- cedure that transfers one coun- try's unused renewable energy to another. According to the draft Na- tional Energy and Climate Plan setting out Malta's objections for energy for 2030, the island is only expected to meet its tar- gets through both indigenous sources and statistical trans- fers." Weighing on Malta's ability to reach the 10% target is a high- er-than-envisaged increase in electricity and energy demand, which reflects the overall in- crease in population and eco- nomic and tourist activity. Forecasts also show the share of renewable energy sourc- es increasing by just 1% and 2.5% between 2021 and 2030. If this share does not account for the contribution of energy from heat pumps used in air- conditioning, Malta will surely have to commit to use statisti- cal transfers or other types of cooperation mechanisms dur- ing this period to minimum renewable energy share of 10% after 2020, as well as to meet other targets. The report says the growth of the renewable sector in Malta is limited by planning policies which cater "for the increased demand for accommodation" and encouraging the redevel- opment of two or three-storey buildings into multi-storey apartment blocks. "This leads to an increase in the frequen- cy and depth of shadowing of rooftops, which further re- duces the number of buildings considered suitable for PV in- stallations." The report says that by 2040, apartments and maisonettes are expected to constitute al- most 70% of Malta's building stock. And it also claims there is "waning interest" in invest- ment in renewable energy sources because of other in- vestment opportunities "being prioritised at a time of rapid economic growth, such as real estate and various business ventures." This was demon- strated by a weak response to the calls issued by the govern- ment under the competitive bidding process for solar PV in- stallations of more than 1MW. The total capacity offered under the second call was 35MW but the total bids re- ceived amounted to less than 18MW. Statistics already show that final energy consumption has increased from 584kWph to 672kWph, with Malta's population expected to reach 554,822 by 2030. "The in- creased population will inevi- tably have a major impact on the energy system and future energy demand". The report suggests that a to- tal footprint of approximately 3.4sq.km will be dedicated to solar energy by 2030, and that both rooftop and brownfield sites continue being given pri- ority for installations. It also reiterated that wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore, cannot be suc- cessfully implemented in Malta due to the lack of near-shore coastal areas and reefs with depths of less than 50 metres, and conflicting uses for these zones because of Malta's reli- ance on tourism, maritime and shipping activities. The poten- tial for deep offshore wind en- ergy, using floating platforms, also remains in its infancy; this, combined with the associated high capital investment costs, implies that "floating offshore wind does not constitute a vi- able short- or medium-term option for Malta." What are statistical transfers? The possibility of statistical transfers was introduced in the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC), which under Article 6 makes it possible for EU Member States to agree to statistically transfer a specified amount of energy from renew- able sources from one Member State to another. In October 2017 Lithuania and Luxembourg became the first EU member states to agree on the transfer of renewable energy statistics which enabled the Grand Duchy to meet its 2020 target. Lithuania reached its national renewable energy target for 2020 in 2015 and aims to use funds from transfers for fur- ther renewable energy in its economy. In 2015, Lithuania met its 2020 renewable energy target of 23% and renewables now hold at least a 25.75% share of the Baltic state's energy mix. Conversely, Luxembourg is yet to meet its 11% goal, managing only 5%. Predictions • Renewable energy sources will grow by just 1-2.5% between 2021 and 2030 • By 2040, apartments and maisonettes will constitute almost 70% of Malta's building stock • Malta's population expected to reach 554,822 by 2030 • A total footprint of approximately 3.4sq. km will be dedicated to solar energy by 2030 Population growth thwarts renewable energy effort Malta will not reach 2020 target for renewable energy consumption as higher buildings throw shade on solar energy efforts Rooftop and brownfield sites are given priority for solar panel installations