Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534889
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 APRIL 2025 NEWS NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt €300 million contract for second electricity link to Sicily finalised Ireland - which pays €325 a week to 2,000 artists, writers and performers - cited as model by National Book Council The second interconnector, known as IC2, is a project valued at around €300 million and co- financed by the European Union CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Stakeholder consultations car- ried out by the NBC found that many authors are unable to ded- icate themselves to writing full- time, with limited earnings from their work forcing them to treat writing as a secondary or volun- tary pursuit. While most writers are motivat- ed by passion rather than prof- it, the small size of the Maltese market and low book sales make it difficult to earn a living from writing. The NBC said it would seek to initiate talks with the govern- ment about a basic living wage for writers, drawing inspiration from Ireland's Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme. The Irish pilot scheme In Ireland, a three-year pro- gramme was launched in 2022 offering a weekly payment of €325 to 2,000 artists, writers and performers, providing them with financial stability to focus on their creative work. An initial impact assessment found that the scheme had improved the well- being and creative output of par- ticipants. But the pilot project – a brain- child of the Irish Green Party which is no longer part of the ruling coalition – is set to expire in August amidst uncertainty on whether it will be extended on a permanent basis. Malta's version would be linked to the broader Charter For The Status Of The Artist being de- veloped by Arts Council Malta, which seeks to improve working conditions and social protection for artists across all sectors. 308 authors in Malta At present, the NBC is aware of 308 authors registered through the Public Lending Rights (PLR) database, as well as a further 478 active authors. However, the council said that the actual number of writers, particularly when using a broad- er definition of "creative works of an original nature," is likely to be higher. The financial insecurity facing writers is just one aspect of wid- er challenges confronting the book sector. The NBC's strategy highlights how local publishers are also struggling with rising production costs, falling sales, and the dominance of imported mass-market books, while bou- tique bookshops remain rare. The strategy document ex- presses misgivings on the way the book retail sector has evolved. While noting that there already are a number of bookshops on the Maltese islands, "many argue that there is a lack of boutique bookshops with a curated selec- tion and knowledgeable individ- uals operating them". To address this aspect the coun- cil proposes commencing discus- sions with the government to of- fer a financial incentive package for the opening of new boutique bookshops and directly financing pop-up bookshops during public events with a curated selection of books. Other measures proposed in the strategic vision include ex- panding previous tax reductions on authors' royalties — with the ultimate goal of eliminating tax on royalties entirely. Fiscal support for publishers is also a key focus, with proposals such as subsidies for paper costs, VAT exemptions on locally pro- duced publications, and a postage subsidy to help Maltese books reach wider markets. Despite some efforts to revive the sector, such as a tax cut on royalties from 15% to 7.5%, the NBC warned that government interventions have so far not been enough to halt the indus- try's decline. According to Eurostat data quoted in the strategy, 56% of Maltese citizens aged 16 and over did not read a single book in 2023, while 41.7% expressed no interest in doing so. A further decline in the culture of reading, combined with financial pressures, risks weakening Malta's literary output further unless major new support measures are introduced. THE government has announced the signing of contract with Nor- wegian company Nexans AS for the manufacturing and installa- tion of a subsea electricity cable between Malta and Sicily. "This is a project that will en- hance our electricity distribution network. A project that will help us sustain other changes we have started and will continue with even more strength," said Ener- gy Minister Miriam Dalli. "We are delivering the investment this country deserves." The second interconnector, known as IC2, is a project val- ued at around €300 million and co-financed by the European Union. The project, which will connect Malta to the European electricity grid with a 245kV cable running 99km under the sea, is consid- ered a strategic importance by the EU and will support Malta's path towards its 2050 decarbon- isation targets. The signing ceremony included the formal agreement between Adrian Dalli, Director General of the Department of Contracts, and Yvan Duperray, Vice Presi- dent of Marketing and Sales from Nexans. Minister Dalli explained that having two interconnectors in- stead of just one will provide greater peace of mind. "Challeng- es arise and accidents do happen. So, we are strengthening the se- curity of our country's energy supply." The contract with Nexans is one of six main tenders making up the second interconnector project. Interconnect Malta's Chairman, Perit Godwin Agius, described the signing as "a key milestone" in the long planning and preparation process. "An agreement that transforms years of planning, design, per- mitting, and hard work into a concrete step forward," he said. He also noted the strong interest shown by leading industry com- panies during the bidding pro- cess. Once complete, the IC2 project will double Malta's connection to the European electricity network, allowing for more renewable en- ergy to flow into the country and supporting future offshore pro- jects. The interconnector is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emis- sions by 13.5 million tonnes over its lifetime, helping Malta reach its decarbonisation targets as part of the 2050 vision. Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli alongside Adrian Dalli, Director General of the Department of Contracts, and Yvan Duperray, Vice President of Marketing and Sales from Nexans (Photo: DOI)