Chamber discusses Opposition’s vision for energy

The Malta Chamber this week met a delegation from the opposition party to discuss the Nationalist Party’s long-term strategy for energy.

Chamber President David Xuereb said a long term policy vision, especially in the area of energy, was crucial for the country.

“The Chamber's vision for the energy sector, is for an economy that does not only balance sustainability with economic drivers, but which seeks for them to be complementary in the vision for a smart, sustainable island" he said.

Opposition leader Bernard Grech thanked the Chamber for its warm welcome, as he underlined the importance of a broad discussion on which to base the country’s long-term vision for Energy.

Patrick Spiteri Staines, chairman of The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Committee highlighted the importance of addressing excessive bureaucracy of energy schemes.

He also noted the difficulty for businesses of finding a single point of contact to address energy concerns, which are usually fragmented across different portfolios and parts of Government.

He said there is a pressing need for energy infrastructure to be addressed through a modern distribution network.

Joe Pace, chairman of the Manufacturing and Other Industries Economic Group said that manufacturers in Malta faced a situation unique in Europe, where industry rates for utility bills were higher than commercial rates.

“Rectifying this situation is important to maintain competitiveness for the sector,” he said.

Konrad Pule, chairman of the Sustainable Mobility Committee said there was a need to encourage a culture change to experience a modal shift in transport.

He suggested flipping the ‘polluter pays’ principle upside down to reward sustainable behaviour in the economy.

He said that the electrification of vehicle fleets was the way forward, but insisted this did not resolve problems with traffic congestion. Broader transport solutions were therefore needed.

Grech was accompanied by MPs Ryan Callus and Kristy Debono.