Momentum calls for urgent bipartisan commitment to renewable energy following EU court referral

Momentum notes with serious concern the news that the European Commission has referred Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union over its failure to fully transpose the Renewable Energy Directive into national law.

According to reports, Malta is among a small number of member states facing legal action and potential fines after failing to meet its obligations under updated EU rules aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy. 

This development is yet another clear warning that Malta is falling behind in the transition to renewable energy. Despite years of promises, Malta continues to register among the lowest shares of renewable energy in the European Union, underlining a persistent failure in long-term planning and political will. 

Momentum believes this situation is the direct result of years of short-termism and lack of vision by both the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party.

Malta cannot afford continued delays. The transition to renewable energy is not only an environmental necessity but also a matter of energy security, economic resilience, and lower energy costs for families and businesses.

Momentum is therefore calling on both PL and PN to:

• Publicly commit to clear and measurable renewable energy targets that go beyond minimum EU requirements;
• Present a credible and transparent roadmap for achieving these targets;
• Invest decisively in renewable infrastructure, including solar, offshore wind, and energy storage;
• Remove bureaucratic barriers that are slowing down clean energy projects.
• Explore the potential of geothermal energy as a clean and sustainable source for the Maltese Islands.

Matthew Agius, Momentum Candidate in the 2nd and 8th Districts, stated: “This issue must rise above partisan politics. Malta needs a national consensus on energy transition that matches the scale of the challenge.

Momentum reiterates that the cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of reform. Malta risks not only financial penalties but also continued dependence on imported fossil fuels and exposure to volatile energy prices.

The time for excuses is over. Malta needs leadership, ambition, and accountability.”

Momentum jitlob impenn serju miż-żewġ partiti fuq l-enerġija rinnovabbli wara riferiment lill-Qorti tal-UE

Momentum jinnota bi tħassib serju l-aħbar li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea rreferiet lil Malta quddiem il-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja tal-Unjoni Ewropea minħabba nuqqas li tiġi trasposta b’mod sħiħ id-Direttiva dwar l-Enerġija Rinnovabbli fil-liġi nazzjonali.

Skont rapporti, Malta hija fost ftit pajjiżi membri li qed jiffaċċjaw azzjoni legali wara li naqset milli twettaq l-obbligi tagħha taħt ir-regoli aġġornati tal-UE li għandhom l-għan li jħaffu t-tranżizzjoni lejn enerġija nadifa

Dan l-iżvilupp huwa twissija ċara oħra li Malta qed tibqa’ lura fit-tranżizzjoni lejn l-enerġija rinnovabbli. Minkejja snin ta’ wegħdi, Malta għadha fost il-pajjiżi bl-inqas sehem ta’ enerġija rinnovabbli fl-Unjoni Ewropea, fatt li juri nuqqas persistenti ta’ ppjanar fit-tul u rieda politika. 

Momentum jemmen li din is-sitwazzjoni hija r-riżultat ta’ snin ta’ nuqqas ta’ viżjoni u politika ta’ terminu qasir miż-żewġ partiti ewlenin, il-Partit Laburista u l-Partit Nazzjonalista.

Malta ma tistax tkompli tittardja. It-tranżizzjoni lejn enerġija rinnovabbli mhijiex biss ħtieġa ambjentali iżda wkoll kwistjoni ta’ sigurtà fl-enerġija, reżiljenza ekonomika u prezzijiet aktar stabbli għall-familji u n-negozji.

Momentum għalhekk qed isejjaħ lill-PL u lill-PN biex:

• Jimpenjaw ruħhom pubblikament għal miri ċari u miżurabbli li jmorru lil hinn mill-minimu mitlub mill-UE;
• Jippreżentaw pjan kredibbli u trasparenti dwar kif dawn il-miri se jintlaħqu;
• Jinvestu b’mod deċiżiv fl-infrastruttura tal-enerġija rinnovabbli, inkluż l-enerġija solari, riħ offshore u sistemi ta’ ħażna tal-enerġija;
• Ineħħu l-ostakli burokratiċi li qed iwaqqfu proġetti ta’ enerġija nadifa.
• Nesploraw l-potenzjal tal-enerġija ġeotermali bħala sors nadif u sostenibbli għall-Gżejjer Maltin.

Matthew Agius, Kandidat tal-Partit Momentum fuq it-2 u t-8 Distrett saħaq: “Din il-kwistjoni għandha tkun ’il fuq mill-politika partiġġjana. Malta għandha bżonn kunsens nazzjonali dwar it-tranżizzjoni fl-enerġija li jkun proporzjonat mal-isfida li qed niffaċċjaw.

Momentum jerġa’ jisħaq li l-ispiża tan-nuqqas ta’ azzjoni se tkun ferm ogħla mill-ispiża tar-riforma. Malta qed tirriskja mhux biss multi finanzjarji iżda wkoll dipendenza kontinwa fuq il-fjuwils fossili u espożizzjoni għal prezzijiet għoljin tal-enerġija.

Wasal iż-żmien li nieqfu nsibu skużi. Malta teħtieġ tmexxija, ambizzjoni u responsabbiltà.”

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