Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1211430
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Maltese government officials will now apply for the fourth, and final round, of cash under the current EU budget later this April in the hope of securing the millions needed to finance the pipeline to Gela. Yet one Brussels source with knowledge of the Commis- sion's plans told MaltaToday the Maltese government's hurdles could be higher than expected. "The new Commission's appe- tite to finance gas projects may be changing, and might even de-prioritise the Malta pipeline to move fast on climate change targets." This week, the EU's Ombuds- man opened an inquiry into the Commission's catalogue of pri- ority energy projects, after green activists lodged a complaint about the inclusion of new gas infrastructure on the list of CEF projects. Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly re- quested clarifications about the inclusion of gas projects in the so-called fourth EU list of Pro- jects of Common Interests (PCI). The list includes the Malta pipe- line. According to civil society group Food & Water Europe, the Commission has not adequately assessed the sustainability of the 32 gas projects, and as such broke EU law. But O'Reilly was spurred to do the investigation after the Commission's reply to FEW was seen as "an admission that there were shortcomings in relation to past sustainability as- sessments of PCI status." Brussels has until 31 March to explain to the Ombudsman whether the gas projects had ev- er fulfilled the criteria included in the PCI list's dedicated regu- lation. Additionally, the new Von Der Leyen executive is indicating a change in appetite for LNG, de- spite the EU's stated preference to move away from dependence on Russian gas by funding new pipelines to acquire gas from other sources, such as Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Earlier this week, MEPs voted overwhelmingly to approve the fourth PCI list – which includes the Malta pipeline – despite vo- ciferous objections from Greens and left-wing MEPs. MaltaToday's source in Brus- sels says the vote reflects the kind of mood inside the EU cap- ital. "MEPs who approved the PCI list believe climate commission- er Frans Timmermans will keep his promise to find projects in line with the EU's climate objec- tives, which would prioritise re- newable energy. But the Greens think that this does not ban gas outright, which at the end of the day is still a fossil fuel." The intervention of the Om- budsman at this stage could be the last redoubt for opponents of gas projects. Additionally, the new Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson has declared she intends to oversee a review of the funding rules for energy project, while the Euro- pean Investment Bank will tight- en up gas-criteria as of 2021. Europe aims at becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, but this requires mov- ing towards cleaner energy in- frastructure. Simson has said she will work with MEPs to deliver electricity infrastructures and innovative technologies such as smart grids, offshore wind and hydrogen. Simson supports the 4th PCI list, although in statements she gave importance to key elec- tricity interconnectors and en- ergy transition projects such as the North Sea wind-power hub, smart green projects and new CO2 network projects. If Malta misses the boat on the fourth round, the next PCI list in 2021 – the fifth – will be more stringent on gas projects. "This list is not a guarantee… Two years after the launch of the Green Deal, sustainability crite- ria will be thoroughly applied for any projects, including gas can- didate projects." Malta gas pipeline Malta's natural gas pipeline be- tween Italy and Malta should be operational by 2024, according to previous statements by min- isters. The pipeline is considered a high priority in the ongoing ef- fort to link Malta to Europe's en- ergy network, and will end Mal- ta's "gas isolation". Malta's electrical network was linked to Europe's via Sicily in 2015, but remaining on the pe- riphery from the EU's natural gas networks affected the securi- ty of Malta's energy supply. This pipeline will also help Malta cut emissions from ship- ping, as the aim is to slash emis- sions by at least 50% by 2050. The pipeline is also part of an ongoing effort for Europe to so- lidify and diversify their energy interests in the Mediterranean region. This is especially rele- vant for decreasing dependence on Russian imports, a high pri- ority after gas shipments were stopped for two weeks during the Ukraine crisis. EU funding for gas projects could become more difficult EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly (left) has launched an investigation into the sustainability of PCI projects. She is seen here with Frans Timmermans