Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1385129
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JUNE 2021 NEWS Public Consultation 15th June - 13th July 2021 consultations@mecp.org.mt www.environment.gov.mt Energy demand up to 2050 in kilo-tonnes of oil equivalent (kToe) 2020 2030 2040 2050 Private cars 275 273 251 239 Freight 91 114 123 135 Residential buildings 108 143 163 163 Hotels/hospitality 22 30 36 36 Public buildings 50 67 80 80 Industry 75 100 119 119 Total Electricity demand 241 320 394 394 Total Energy demand* 744 880 945 945 *Excluding conversion and distribution losses power connectors and mooring infrastructure. But this technol- ogy is still at an early stage, so no offshore solar generating ca- pacity was actually included in the national plan. Hydrogen is also identified as a "potential future source of en- ergy" with current plants retro- fitted for this source. But again, supply depends on imports from other countries, "thereby potentially posing a risk to se- curity or to cost of supply". A hydrogen power station could act as a "back-up to inter- mittent renewables" if adequate battery storage technology is not in place by then to smooth supply from wind resources. Emissions from buildings Malta's building stock is al- so expected to rise by 20% by 2050. The increase in emissions from this expansion could be mitigated by the fact that Malta's average energy con- sumption per dwelling is well below the EU average, indeed the lowest among all EU states thanks to its warmer climate during winter. Reducing emissions from this sector will focus on energy-ef- ficient domestic appliances and office equipment, light sensors, roof and wall insulation, and LED lighting uptake. Support to vulnerable and energy-poor households to re- place old appliances with new efficient units should also be fully rolled out as early as 2030. For new buildings, govern- ment is still considering design criteria for efficiency stand- ards, including a detailed feasi- bility study on how to balance increased upfront costs with savings, in the form of reduced bills. The plan suggests that such measures are most needed to mitigate an increase in emis- sions between 2020 and 2030 as in this period electricity will still be "supplied locally". Emissions from cars The carbon reduction plan also hinges on lower emissions from cars, which have increased by 86% since 1990. A ban on the imports of petrol and die- sel-fuelled cars will come in place between 2030 and 2034, but this shift will contribute to an increase in electricity con- sumption as cars will depend on the power grid. So the strategy identifies working from home as one factor which could lower emis- sions, committing the govern- ment to consider initiatives that avoid altogether the need to move. "One of the few posi- tive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic was that it forced em- ployers, including government, to implement infrastructure that supports teleworking/re- mote working, thus decoupling the need to commute from the ability to produce." Around 33% of the local workforce is estimated to have worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is expected that post-COVID-19, half of the time worked will continue be carried out in this way. While government wants to incentivise remote working and online services, the strategy is vague on a mass transport sys- tem that decreases the use of private cars. It says studies on mass transport are still under- way. "Having completed the preliminary study phase and conceptual design, government is now proceeding with the sec- ond phase of the study which will also include a more detailed economic and financial busi- ness case and which will also take into consideration the post COVID-19 era." It would appear that a mass transport system is still some way off from being considered a viable option. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Energy and enterprise minister Miriam Dalli unveiled plans for a second interconnector to be ready by 2025