Solar thermal energy in
Malta
General
Malta
has no indigenous resource of fossil fuels and no gas distribution
network. Two electricity plants totalling 571 MW are in operation. In
August 2006 a Draft Renewable Energy Policy has been published. No specific policy for the uptake of renewables has been
developed recently.
According
to the Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
the target for the share of energy from renewable sources in gross
final consumption of energy in the year 2020 for Malta is 10% (in the
year 2005 the share was 0.0%). The Directive has a mandatory 10 %
target for transport to be achieved by all Member States, which refers
to renewable sources as a whole, not biofuels alone.
Renewable energy projections according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plan for Malta
The
National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) for Malta was submitted
in July 2010. The target according to Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC
is 10% for the year 2020 and the projected NREAP share in that year is
10.2%. According to the projection, the most important contribution in
the year 2020 is expected from renewable electricity (renewable
transport) (37 ktoe, 68% of all renewable energy). Second important
contribution is expected from wind power (0.3 TWh or 22 ktoe, 40% of
all renewable energy). The third largest contribution is from biomass
(renewable electricity) (0.1 TWh or 12 ktoe, 21% of all renewable
energy). Wind power contribution is expected in the year 2020 from
onshore wind (15 MW and 38 GWh) and offshore wind (95 MW and 216 GWh).
For solar photovoltaic the 2020 contribution is projected to be 28 MW
(43 GWh). For solar thermal the 2020 contribution is projected to be 3
ktoe. The renewable electricity production from solid biomass amounts
to 86 GWh (7 ktoe) and for biogas it is expected to be 50 GWh (4 ktoe).
The consumption of renewable heat is expected to amount to zero ktoe
for solid biomass and 2 ktoe for biogas.
Renewable Heating and
Cooling: solar thermal
Solar
thermal installations represent the country’s most wide-spread
renewable energy technology. Climatic conditions are very favourable.
In Malta up to 2009 there have been two incentives in place:
1. Energy
installations related to the use of solar energy receive capital grants
of 25% of the investment costs to a maximum of €233. This is the
result of an increase in January 2006 (15% to a maximum of EUR 117 was in place as of January 2005). All private
consumers can apply for this scheme.
2. Another support
mechanism is that when purchasing a new three phase electric metering
installation, no fee is charged in case at the same time a solar
heating system is installed. This is an incentive to the amount of
EUR 163, carried out by Enemalta Corporation, the Maltese energy supplier.
In the last few years, the Malta Resources Authority administered
various campaigns on behalf of the Government of Malta to promote
energy efficiency and renewable energy. These included grants on
the purchase of energy efficient appliances, solar water heaters,
photovoltaic systems, roof insulation, double glazing, etc.
Since
16th February 2009 a scheme has come into effect which aims to
encourage the use of systems for domestic use that reduce the use of
energy, or use renewable sources of energy. The scheme applies to solar
water heaters,
photovoltaic panels, roof thermal insulation material, and double
glazed windows or doors. The scheme is regulated by Government Notice
81 of 2009. Regarding solar thermal systems, 66% of the eligible costs
can be covered based on this scheme up to a maximum of EUR 460. A
maximum of 4,500 families will benefit from the scheme.
Future programme changes
expected
Government
will consider revisions to the building regulations and planning
permits to make inclusion of solar water heating a mandatory element in
all new housing, tourism and major retrofit projects.
Sources
The
implementation of Directive 2001/77/EC on the promotion of electricity
from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market,
Ministry of resources and rural affairs, May 2008
Ministry of resources and rural affairs, http://www.mra.org.mt (sourced
August 2008)
Interactive EurObserv’ER Database, http://www.eurobserv-er.org (status
2007)
http://www.mra.org.mt/Support%20Schemes-customers.shtml
Government
Notice No. 81, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, A Grant on the
Purchase of Systems for Domestic Use that Reduce the Use of Energy, or
Use Renewable Sources of Energy, 27 January 2009
The National Renewable Energy Action
Plans (NREAPs) are all published on the Transparency Platform on
Renewable Energy: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/transparency_platform/action_plan_en.htm
(sourced July - December 2010)
Renewable Energy Projections as Published in the National Renewable
Energy Action Plans of the European Member States, http://www.ecn.nl/nreap
(sourced December 2010)
Interactive EurObserv’ER Database
http://www.eurobserv-er.org
Last update: April 2011
This information can be referenced without permission provided that the
source is mentioned completely and correctly: 'Interactive EurObserv'ER
Database, http://www.eurobserv-er.org (date of last update)'
Suggestions for improvements to the policy description can be sent to EurObserv'ER by e-mail: project@eurobserv-er.org
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