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BUSINESS TODAY 4 Juy 2019

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04.07.19 4 NEWS A wide spectrum of NGOs, local councils, ministries and University of Malta faculties are engaged in consultation over the use of Maltese quarries for the siting of solar farms. A 15-month Strategic Envi- ronmental Asseement (SEA) commissioned by the Planning Authority is in the offing to pro- vide expert guidance on the im- pacts of solar farms, and iden- tify mitigation measures that must be integrated into solar farm development in quarries. e SEA is a requirement of the Solar Farm Policy issued by the PA, which also comes with an Appropriate Assessment (AA). e 2017 solar farm policy outlines the drastic reduction in photovoltaic panel prices, offering the alternative, cost-ef- fective path for Malta to reach its 2020 target to have 10% re- newable energy sources. e policy gives priority for the development of solar farms in quarries – operational, inac- tive or disused – among other sites, to mitigate their negative visual impact. Quarries restored before the date of adoption of this policy are ineligible for the development of solar farms. Solar farms are defined as a commercial installation with a footprint larger than 1,000 square metres in one consoli- dated and contiguous area, not usually related to residential de- velopment, for the purpose of photovoltaic energy. As prominent eyesores, es- pecially within the low-lying localities of Mqabba, Qrendi and Siggiewi, quarry owners are being encourages to restore their quarries to generate green electricity. Restoration of abandoned or disused quarries may also lead to backfilling with inert con- struction waste, relieving alter- native sites. e policy prohibits the de- velopment of solar farms in quarries within or near Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Such sites shall only be considered following the SEA and AA results. e SEA's initial outcomes will be shared with the largest num- ber of stakeholders and public groups possible so that the the potential environmental im- pacts of solar farms in quarries is extensively analysed. Perit Joseph Scalpello, Planning Authority's Assistant Director (second from left) with Ing Mario Schembri AIS's Managing Director. Also in photo Michelle Borg PA's Unit Manager and Sacha Dunlop, Departmental Head at AIS Quarries can be Malta's solar farm alternative HSBC announced a number of senior management appointments which sup- port implementation of the next phase of the bank's strategy. Following Michel Cordina's appointment earlier this year as Executive Director and Head of Busi- ness Development, Joyce Grech succeeds him as Head of Commercial Banking, and Gerard Walsh has been appointed, subject to regulatory approval, as the bank's new Chief Risk Officer. Michel started his banking career in 1981 with Mid-Med Bank Limited and HSBC in 1999. He has worked in var- ious areas of banking in both Personal Banking and Commercial Banking busi- ness units. He has also led a number of operational and support functions of the bank. Michel has occupied various executive roles within HSBC Malta in- cluding, Deputy Head of Operations and Head of Business Transformation. He was also the Programme Manag- er responsible for bringing the HSBC UK Contact Centre to Malta. In 2010, Michel was seconded to HSBC Com- mercial Banking in London where he performed the role of Head of Sales Performance. Michel will work to develop the bank's business with its primary clients and external stakeholders as it focuses on a balanced return to growth. Facilitating growth in HSBC's corporate business will be a particular priority. Appointed Chief Risk Officer in April 2013, Joyce has worked with HSBC for 22 years. During her career, she has un- dertaken a number of roles, principal- ly in Malta. Joyce started her career in Trade Finance and Commercial Bank- ing before moving to the bank's Credit department where she spent over five years, the last three of which as Depu- ty Head of Credit. Before taking up her role as Chief Risk Officer she worked in the bank's Retail Banking and Wealth Management division where she head- ed the Customer Value Management department. In her new capacity, Joyce will lead the Commercial Banking business to deliv- er products and services to the bank's diverse business customers, supporting them locally and internationally. Gerard is originally from South Afri- ca and served previously as Chief Risk Officer for HSBC Mauritius before joining HSBC in Malta as Head of Risk Governance and Lending Services in 2018. Gerard has been with HSBC since January 2007 and during his tenure as Chief Risk Officer, in the Mauritius of- fice, covered both the domestic and offshore operations. Gerard is a certi- fied Anti-Money Laundering Special- ist. Gerard will build on the strong risk management practices already in place, ensuring that growth is achieved in a safe and sustainable manner. HSBC Malta announces senior management appointments From left: Joyce Grech, Michel Cordina, Gerard Walsh

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