Researched by Regina Beil
Renewable Energies in Malta
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The whole world is confronting with the trend of the increasing number of energy consumption. Reasons for this trend might be the increasing population, digitization, industry 4.0 etc. Many countries are considering about their own responsibility for our nature and environment.
Malta still has one of the lowest percentages of energy usage from renewable sources. Therefore the European Commission demands Malta to share 10 % of energy from renewable sources till 2020. Here is an overview about the renewable energies, which are used in Malta and how they can reach this their given target.
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Solar energy
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Malta has high rate of sun hours, for example Valletta has an annual sun average of 2957 hours. That’s why solar energy makes sense. If sunlight shines at a solar panel, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material and electricity will be produced. This process is called photovoltaic (PV) effect. The diversity of solar energy is enormously. With saving the sunlight, on the one sight you can provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and on the other side cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry.
The government decided the building of solar energy farms. This farms should produce the half of Malta’s energy (5%) target for 2020. Solar modules over an area of 2.7 km2 with an installed capacity of 190MWp. In addition to that, more and more domestic and industrial rooftops should be installed with solar panels. Because The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) said that there are only 0.7km2 of potential development areas available. That’s why the PV capacity is only sufficient for a third of the EU targets.
The remaining percents compromises of biofuels, heat pumps and waste energy.
Photo: solar energy plant in Malta
Biofuels
Biofuels are raw materials, which have a biological origin and they are renewable. At the moment, biodiesel is the most widespread biofuel, but there are still more, e.g. biogas, wood, grain etc. The Maltese are not really using biofuels in comparison with other European countries. One reason might be that the biofuel production is largely limited. They need a recovering period for conversion into biodiesel.
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Heat pumps
Heat pumps use the temperature of their surroundings to heat up the water. Especially for people that don’t have access to roof heating pumps, they might be interested in this option. In comparison to a normal water heater, it might be possible to save around 600 units of electricity per year. In addition to the 2020 energy goals, the Maltese’ government decided a 40 per cent subsidy on heat pumps.
Waste energy
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Malta might benefit from if a lot of energy generate from the processes of landfilling and waste operation. Using waste for producing energy makes sense, because you have the opportunity to recover the energy found within materials. For that, the waste is burned. For example, the Maltese produce nearly 10 football pitches of waste per year. Currently, there are 2 waste energy plants, the Sant’ Antnin plant and the 'Malta North' waste treatment plant within the Maghtab complex.
Photo: waste energy in Malta
What do I think?
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In my opinion, the Maltese are on the right way to reach their targets. For example, in 2016 six percent of the renewable sources have already changed over. But they have to be careful, that they are really focused on their targets. 4 percent until 2020 is possible but they shouldn’t take this implementation lightly. Furthermore, 2020 is not the end, because the EU will set new goals for the member states. Therefore, the government of Malta must be constantly looking out for new opportunities to expand renewable energies and implementing them in a timely manner.