Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1477424
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 AUGUST 2022 Second call for applications open from 29 August to 5 September 2022 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "The government is introduc- ing energy saving guidelines for the public sector, to con- tain energy costs and mitigate the impacts of the ongoing cli- mate and energy emergencies," a spokesperson for the Energy Ministry told MaltaToday. Apart from measures target- ing more efficient use of air conditioning in public offices, the recommendations target decorative façade lighting of public buildings and monu- ments, which will be switched off for "a few hours late at night, excluding security light- ing". The spokesperson said the new guidelines also recom- mend switching off idle appli- ances such as laptop chargers and water coolers, as well as the replacement of old lighting and other electrical systems with low energy solutions. Europeans have had to bear the brunt of natural gas short- ages and high prices after Rus- sia reduced pipeline gas supply to EU countries in retaliation to sanctions. Although Malta does not im- port gas directly from Russia, the price of electricity bought from mainland Europe through the interconnector has shot up immensely. Maltese consum- ers have not felt the brunt of higher electricity costs because government has been subsidis- ing energy and fuel, an outlay that is expected to substan- tially surpass the €200 mil- lion cushion Finance Minister Clyde Caruana set aside in the last budget at a time when the Ukraine war was not yet on the horizon. Last month, Malta success- fully negotiated an exemption from the EU's 15% mandatory gas reduction target, which can be triggered anytime this win- ter in response to supply dis- ruptions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, despite this ex- emption, as international fuel and electricity prices contin- ue to rise, the government is embarking on effective energy saving measures to mitigate the higher cost on public coffers. In reply to MaltaToday ques- tions, the Energy Ministry in- sisted though that the energy saving measures for the public sector are not simply respond- ing to the pressures of the in- ternational gas supply shortag- es. "We want everyone to em- brace responsible energy con- sumption, as we work to ease the impact of the current high electricity production costs. More importantly, the public sector is leading by example and encouraging everyone to focus on our environmental targets and the attainment of our long-term decarbonisa- tion obligations. We also note that the private sector is also embarking on similar actions through different ESG com- mitments," the spokesperson said. She added that any move towards increased energy ef- ficiency by the government, businesses and at home will have a "multitude of benefits for all", including a lower car- bon footprint, improved air quality, affordable energy costs and increased economic com- petitiveness. "It all leads to a more sustainable future," the ministry said. Europe's cities have been go- ing dark at night as authorities try to save on electricity con- sumption. Countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, Ireland, France and Germany have al- ready embarked on a series of measures to reduce their consumption, including turn- ing off hot water in the show- ers and bathrooms of city-run buildings and leisure centres. Spain has passed a law to bring services like banks, pub- lic transport, shops, bars and restaurants in line with the measures already imposed in administration buildings, in- cluding air conditioning sys- tems at a limit of 27° Celsius on cooling and heating below 19° Celsius. ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Apart from measures targeting more efficient use of air conditioning in public offices, the recommendations target decorative façade lighting of public buildings and monuments, which will be switched off for "a few hours late at night, excluding security lighting" Cooling to be kept at minimum 24 degrees As international fuel and electricity prices continue to rise, the government is embarking on effective energy saving measures to mitigate the higher cost on public coffers Lights for Ukraine at night on the Berlayment building in Bruseels. But war has pushed gas prices up and now these lights must be sweited off