Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1515420
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 FEBRUARY 2024 NEWS Vacancy (Procurement) Jobsplus Permit no. 908/2023 For more info visit micas.art/get-involved or contact people@micas.art micas.art Closing at noon Monday 19 th February 2024 Manager MALTA'S energy ministry has issued a market consultation for projects to install solar farms at sea. The purpose of the prelim- inary market consultation is to gauge market readiness for nearshore floating solar tech- nology projects, including pho- tovoltaic farms. These 500MW farms are ex- pected to be implemented within the sea area extending up to 12 nautical miles off the Maltese coast, at a potential offshore site south of Marsax- lokk, with a corresponding ca- ble route to Delimara Power Station. However the PMC is open to any suggestions be- yond this proposed site, which has not yet been subject to any seabed studies. Prospective contactors will also have to ensure their pro- posed sites are safe from inter- ference from submarine power cables or pipeline routes, apart from the limits imposed by Natura 2000 sites, fishing and aquaculture zones, bunkering zones, spoil grounds and ordi- nance dumping zones. Six potential areas outside Malta's 12-mile territorial wa- ters had been identified for floating renewable energy pro- jects. Areas 1 to 3 are along Malta's east and southeast coast, while Area 4 is to the south. Area 5 is along Malta's west coast, while Area 6 is to the northwest of Gozo. All areas are massive and found outside territorial waters. They would require the projects to incorporate floating technology. In 2022 the Continental Shelf Department had also sought investor interest in Malta's offshore opportunities to gain knowledge regarding the pos- sible activities that companies are willing to invest in. This covered the area beyond the 12NM territorial limit. In 2021, the EEZ Act estab- lished an exclusive economic zone in an area beyond and adjacent to Maltese territori- al waters, expanding offshore economic activities and poten- tial investments in sources of renewable energy beyond the 12 nautical miles. In the area beyond the 12 nautical miles, technical con- sultants are also proposing the deployment of floating offshore wind technology. In December 2023, energy minister Miriam Dalli told the COP28 meeting in Dubai, that small island states were facing the highest short-term risk of climate change disaster and disruptions to their energy supplies. "Challenges brought about by climate change are common- ly shared among small island states, including Malta. As a result, small island nations are coming together to work on common solutions that are in- novative and can bring about positive results," Dalli said. Dalli emphasised that small island states also share a unique advantage in that they are more agile in shaping and implementing policies. "It is an advantage we must lever- age upon to drive the adoption of emerging technologies and propel our transition towards a greener economy." The government had also identified a 900sq.km zone of shallow waters around Hurd's Bank, and a 6,500sq.km belt around the island as two areas where it intends issuing con- cessions to private companies for the production of renewa- ble energy, the production and storage of hydrogen, fish farms and the establishment of "arti- ficial islands". Apart from Hurd's Bank, which is designated as Area 1 of Malta's Exclusive Economic Zone, the entire offshore belt extending between 12 nauti- cal miles to 25 nautical miles, which spans over 6,500sq.km, is designated as Area 2. Ministry wants business pitch for 500MW floating solar farm off Delimara MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt "Challenges brought about by climate change are commonly shared among small island states, including Malta."