We welcome the government policy to increase solar energy in industrial areas
Momentum welcomes the Government’s recently announced policy for the installation and use of solar panels in industrial areas. This is a positive step towards increasing Malta’s renewable energy generation, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and making better use of existing spaces and infrastructure.
Momentum believes that Malta should have a much more ambitious national programme for solar energy. Government should lead by example by systematically identifying suitable locations for photovoltaic installations on Government buildings, schools, sports facilities, public car parks and other public infrastructure.
Open-air car parks, for example, offer significant potential for solar canopies that can generate renewable energy while also providing shade for vehicles and people, particularly during Malta’s hot summer months. Locations such as the Ċirkewwa and Mġarr car parks, the Victoria/Rabat car park in Gozo, and the extensive parking areas around Ta’ Qali Stadium and the National Park could all be assessed for their potential.
There are already successful examples of this approach. The Malta Freeport car park, for instance, has been covered with solar panels, demonstrating how existing developed spaces can generate renewable energy.
The Government has already demonstrated that public infrastructure can be used for renewable energy generation through initiatives such as the Pannelli bla Bejt project, which uses Water Services Corporation infrastructure for photovoltaic installations. These initiatives should now be expanded into a comprehensive national programme to maximise the use of existing public infrastructure.
At the same time, Momentum reiterates that the expansion of renewable energy must not come at the expense of Malta’s agricultural land and countryside. ODZ areas should remain ODZ even for solar farms.
Kyle Pullicino, a spokesperson for Momentum, said: “We welcome these recent initiatives, and call on Government to go further and maximise solar generation on existing infrastructure, prioritise public buildings and developed areas, and expand solar generation across schools, sports facilities and industrial estates. We ask the Government to commit to protecting Malta’s agricultural land and ODZ countryside from the development of solar farms. For example, the government should refuse the currently proposed solar farm on top of Żebbuġ Hill in Gozo.”
The Government should also continue its efforts to explore the potential of offshore floating solar farms, particularly as Malta seeks to increase renewable energy generation while limiting pressure on agricultural land and the countryside.
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