Momentum Criticises PN Proposal for Offshore LNG Hub Over Serious Environmental, Economic and Community Risks

Momentum expresses deep concern over the recent proposal put forward by the Nationalist Party to develop a large-scale offshore LNG hub on Hurd’s Bank, highlighting a serious lack of consideration for the environmental, economic and community implications, particularly those affecting Malta’s fragile marine ecosystems and coastal localities.

At a time when Malta faces increasing environmental pressures, it is unacceptable that a proposal of this scale, proposed to be built on a reef in the middle of the sea,  fails to adequately prioritise the protection of our seas and the wellbeing of affected communities. The waters surrounding the Maltese Islands are not only a vital natural resource but also a cornerstone of our biodiversity, economy, and quality of life.

Though Hurd’s Bank is about 22 kms away, it still poses an enormous risk in this context. Therefore,Momentum notes and supports the serious concerns raised by the Marsascala Residents’ Network, who have warned about the direct impact such a project could have on nearby coastal communities. These include fears relating to safety risks, visual intrusion, increased maritime traffic, and the broader transformation of the area into an industrial zone.

Momentum warns that the proposal, as it stands, poses significant risks of environmental harm. While LNG differs from conventional oil fuels, it introduces its own set of dangers, including fire and explosion hazards in the event of a leak, as well as potential thermal and ecological impacts on marine life. Furthermore, the scale of infrastructure required, along with increased shipping traffic, raises serious concerns about the long-term industrialisation of offshore areas that are currently relatively undisturbed.

Beyond environmental concerns, Momentum stresses that the proposal exposes Malta to serious economic risks. Tourism, which depends heavily on the country’s clean waters and attractive coastline, could suffer severe consequences in the event of an incident at such a large offshore fuel installation. Even without a major accident, the perception of industrial activity in open sea areas may undermine Malta’s image as a pristine Mediterranean destination.

Furthermore, the country’s water security is directly at stake. Malta relies heavily on reverse osmosis plants for its potable water supply. Any contamination event or major disruption in surrounding waters could compromise these facilities, placing the national water supply under immediate threat.

“This is not just an oversight, it is a dangerous omission,” Mark Camilleri Gambin, Momentum Secretary General and candidate on the 3rd and 11th district, stated. “Ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents and failing to properly assess environmental and economic risks is irresponsible. Any project of this scale must place people, environmental protection and long-term sustainability at its core. The proposal does not meet this basic standard.”

Momentum calls on the PN to immediately withdraw and rethink its proposal, and to engage meaningfully with residents, environmental experts, civil society and the wider public to ensure that any future plans are sustainable, responsible, and aligned with Malta’s environmental, social and economic priorities.

The protection of Malta’s marine environment, community wellbeing and economic stability is not optional, it is essential for current and future generations.

Momentum reiterates that Malta’s energy future should not be tied to further fossil fuel dependency. Instead, the country must urgently invest in renewable energy solutions, including offshore and rooftop solar, wind energy where feasible, energy storage systems, and improved energy efficiency. A forward-looking strategy based on clean energy would safeguard the environment, strengthen long-term economic resilience, and provide greater security for future generations.

Momentum Jikkritika l-Proposta tal-PN għal Hub Offshore tal-LNG minħabba Riskji Serji Ambjentali, Ekonomiċi u Soċjali

Momentum jesprimi tħassib serju dwar il-proposta riċenti mressqa mill-Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) biex jiġi żviluppat hub offshore kbir tal-LNG fuq Hurd’s Bank, u jenfasizza nuqqas serju ta’ konsiderazzjoni għall-implikazzjonijiet ambjentali, ekonomiċi u soċjali, b’mod partikolari dawk li jaffettwaw l-ekosistemi delikati tal-baħar u l-komunitajiet kostali.

F’mument fejn Malta qed tiffaċċja pressjonijiet ambjentali dejjem jiżdiedu, huwa inaċċettabbli li proposta ta’ din il-portata, li qed tigi ippjanata li tinbena fuq sikka f’nofs il-baħar,  tonqos milli tipprioritizza b’mod adegwat il-protezzjoni tal-ibħra tagħna u l-benesseri tal-komunitajiet affettwati. L-ilmijiet li jdawru lill-Gżejjer Maltin huma mhux biss riżorsa naturali essenzjali, iżda wkoll pilastru tal-bijodiversità, tal-ekonomija u tal-kwalità tal-ħajja tagħna.

Minkejja li Hurd’s Bank huwa 22km il boghod, f’dan il-kuntest terminal tal-gass xorta jista’ jkun ta’ riskju enormi. Ghalhekk,,Momentum jinnota u jappoġġja t-tħassib serju mqajjem mill-għaqda tar-residenti ta’ Marsascala (MRN), li wissew dwar l-impatt dirett li proġett bħal dan jista’ jkollu fuq il-komunitajiet kostali fil-qrib. Dawn jinkludu tħassib dwar riskji għas-sigurtà, impatt viżiv, żieda fit-traffiku marittimu, u t-trasformazzjoni usa’ taż-żona f’żona industrijali.

Momentum iwissi li l-proposta, kif inhi, toħloq riskji ta’ ħsara ambjentali. Filwaqt li l-LNG huwa differenti minn fjuwils tradizzjonali bħaż-żejt, xorta jġib miegħu perikli speċifiċi, inklużi riskji ta’ nirien u splużjonijiet f’każ ta’ tnixxija, kif ukoll impatti termali u ekoloġiċi possibbli fuq il-ħajja marittima. Barra minn hekk, l-iskala tal-infrastruttura meħtieġa. flimkien maż-żieda fit-traffiku tal-vapuri, tqajjem tħassib serju dwar l-industrijalizzazzjoni fit-tul ta’ żoni offshore li bħalissa huma relattivament mhux disturbati.

Lil hinn mit-tħassib ambjentali, Momentum jenfasizza li din il-proposta tesponi wkoll lil Malta għal riskji ekonomiċi serji. It-turiżmu, li jiddependi ħafna fuq ilmijiet nodfa u kosta attraenti, jista’ jsofri konsegwenzi kbar f’każ ta’ inċident f’dan it-tip ta’ installazzjoni kbira offshore tal-fjuwil. Anke mingħajr inċident kbir, il-perċezzjoni ta’ attività industrijali fil-baħar miftuħ tista’ ddgħajjef l-immaġni ta’ Malta bħala destinazzjoni Mediterranja nadifa u mixtieqa.

Barra minn hekk, is-sigurtà tal-ilma tal-pajjiż hija direttament fil-periklu. Malta tiddependi ħafna fuq impjanti ta’ reverse osmosis għall-provvista tal-ilma tax-xorb. Kull avveniment ta’ tniġġis jew tfixkil serju fl-ilmijiet ta’ madwar jista’ jikkomprometti dawn il-faċilitajiet, u jpoġġi l-provvista nazzjonali tal-ilma taħt theddida immedjata.

“Dan mhux biss nuqqas, huwa ommissjoni perikoluża,” qal Mark Camilleri Gambin, Segretarju Ġenerali ta’ Momentum  u kandidat fuq it-3  u l-11-il distrett. “Li tinjora it-tħassib leġittimu tar-residenti u nuqqas ta’ valutazzjoni serja tar-riskji ambjentali u ekonomiċi huwa irresponsabbli. Kull proġett ta’ din l-iskala għandu jqiegħed lin-nies, il-protezzjoni ambjentali u s-sostenibbiltà fit-tul fil-qalba tiegħu. Il-proposta tal-PN ma tilħaqx dan l-istandard bażiku.”

Momentum jappella lill-PN biex immedjatament jirtira u jerġa’ jaħseb fil-proposta tiegħu, u biex jinvolvi b’mod sinifikanti lir-residenti, esperti ambjentali, is-soċjetà ċivili u lill-pubbliku sabiex jiġi żgurat li kwalunkwe pjan futur ikun sostenibbli, responsabbli u konformi mal-prijoritajiet ambjentali, soċjali u ekonomiċi ta’ Malta.

Il-protezzjoni tal-ambjent marittimu, il-benesseri tal-komunitajiet u l-istabbiltà ekonomika ta’ Malta mhijiex għażla, hija essenzjali għall-ġenerazzjonijiet tal-lum u ta’ għada.

Momentum jenfasizza li l-futur tal-enerġija f’ Malta m’għandux jibqa’ marbut ma’ dipendenza akbar fuq fjuwils fossili. Minflok, il-pajjiż għandu jinvesti b’urġenza f’soluzzjonijiet ta’ enerġija rinnovabbli, inkluż enerġija solari fuq il-bjut u offshore, enerġija mir-riħ fejn ikun fattibbli, sistemi ta’ ħażna tal-enerġija, u miżuri aħjar ta’ effiċjenza enerġetika. Strateġija moderna bbażata fuq enerġija nadifa tipproteġi l-ambjent, issaħħaħ ir-reżiljenza ekonomika fit-tul u tipprovdi aktar sigurtà għall-ġenerazzjonijiet futuri.

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