It-transizzjoni ta’ Malta lejn l-enerġija rinnovabbli tirrappreżenta viżjoni, kollaborazzjoni u determinazzjoni – il-Ministru Miriam Dalli
“Fl-2024 Malta triplikat is-sehem tal-enerġija rinnovabbli u rreġistrat wieħed mill-akbar żidiet sena wara sena fost l-Istati Membri tal-UE. B’viżjoni, kollaborazzjoni u determinazzjoni, anke l-iżgħar pajjiżi jistgħu jkunu mexxejja fit-transizzjoni globali tal-enerġija,” sostniet il-Ministru għall-Enerġija Miriam Dalli.
Waqt is-16-il sessjoni tal-Assemblea tal-Aġenzija Internazzjonali għall-Enerġija Rinnovabbli (IRENA), il-Ministru Dalli spjegat kif Malta qed tavvanza l-politika, l-infrastruttura u l-innovazzjoni, b’enfasi fuq iż-żieda fil-ġenerazzjoni tal-enerġija rinnovabbli, it-titjib tal-interkonnettività u titjib tan-netwerk tal-elettriku.
Il-Ministru Dalli spjegat kif il-Politika Nazzjonali dwar l-Enerġija Rinovabbli Offshore tistabbilixxi żoni marittimi għall-iżvilupp ta’ proġetti tar-riħ u tax-xemx, flimkien ma’ benefiċċji mmirati biex jiġi attirat l-investiment. Hija kompliet tispjega kif pajjiżna qed jaħdem lejn l-iżvilupp tal-ewwel wind farm offshore f’baħar fond lil hinn mit-12-il mil nawtiku, b’kapaċità sa 320 MW, li se sservi bħala mudell fuq livell reġjonali.
Hija semmiet ukoll li pajjiżna qed jinvesti f’Sistemi ta’ Ħażna tal-Enerġija bil-Batteriji fuq skala kbira u fit-tisħiħ tan-netwerk sabiex jiġu indirizzati l-isfidi tal-intermittenza u jiġi żgurat sehem ogħla ta’ enerġija rinovabbli fil-gżejjer Maltin. Kompliet li t-tieni interconnector se jirdoppja l-kapaċità tagħna tal-enerġija tal-UE, se jsaħħaħ l-użu tal-enerġija rinovabbli u se jikkontribwixxi għall-istabbilizzazzjoni tan-netwerk.
“Sal-2030 nimmiraw li nnaqqsu l-emissjonijiet tal-gassijiet serra b’41% meta mqabbla mal-livelli tal-2005 u li nżidu s-sehem tal-enerġija rinnovabbli għal madwar 25%. Il-viżjoni tagħna hija li noħolqu impjiegi sostenibbli, npoġġu lil Malta bħala mexxejja fl-enerġija sostenibbli u nsaħħu l-kollaborazzjoni reġjonali lejn l-iżvilupp ta’ hub Mediterranju għall-enerġija l-ħadra,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli, filwaqt li fakkret li Malta, permezz tal-konferenza tal-MED9, ġabet flimkien għall-ewwel darba lid-disa’ Stati Membri Mediterranji tal-UE biex tibni dan il-hub.
“It-tisħiħ tar-relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u IRENA jippermetti lill-aġenzija tikkontribwixxi għat-twessigħ ta’ din il-viżjoni kif imfassla waqt il-konferenza tal-MED9. Il-kollaborazzjoni bejn Malta u IRENA qed tkompli tissaħħaħ sena wara sena u din is-sena kburin li ġejna magħżula bħala wieħed mill-faċilitaturi tad-diskussjonijiet ewlenin li jiffukaw fuq aċċess akbar għall-enerġija rinnovabbli,” sostniet Dr Dalli.
F’kummenti lill-midja internazzjonali, il-Ministru Miriam Dalli spjegat li minkejja r-restrizzjonijiet ġeografiċi uniċi ta’ pajjiżna u d-disponibbiltà limitata tal-art, il-progress ta’ Malta huwa mmexxi mill-innovazzjoni u d-determinazzjoni. “Il-Gvern qed jipprijoritizza b’mod strateġiku l-enerġija rinnovabbli offshore, b’mod partikolari l-enerġija offshore mir-riħ li jżomm f’wiċċ il-baħar, bħala pilastru ewlieni tat-transizzjoni. Dawn il-proġetti offshore huma maħsuba biex jikkumplimentaw l-investiment kontinwu f’soluzzjonijiet solari fuq is-soqfa u dawk innovattivi mill-enerġija tax-xemx, billi jimmassimizzaw dak li jista’ jiġi implimentat b’mod realistiku fuq il-gżejjer Maltin,” sostniet il-Ministru Dalli.
L-Assemblea tal-IRENA laqqgħet flimkien ministri, uffiċjali għolja u rappreżentanti minn 139 pajjiż u l-Unjoni Ewropea biex jinħoloq futur sostenibbli tal-enerġija u jiġu stabbiliti prijoritajiet għall-kollaborazzjoni internazzjonali.
Malta’s renewable energy journey represents vision, collaboration and determination – Minister Miriam Dalli
“With Malta tripling its renewable energy share and registering one of the most notable year-on-year increases among EU Member States in 2024, this journey is a showcase of how, through vision, collaboration, and determination, even the smallest nations can lead in the global energy transition,” stated Energy Minister Miriam Dalli.
Addressing the 16th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Minister Dalli explained how Malta is advancing policy, infrastructure, and innovation, with a strong focus on increasing renewable energy generation, enhancing interconnectivity and upgrading its electricity network.
Minister Dalli explained that Malta’s National Policy on Offshore Renewables establishes marine-based zones for wind and solar projects with benefits to attract investment. She continued explaining how Malta is working towards developing its first deep-water offshore wind farm beyond 12 nautical miles, with up to 320 MW capacity, serving as a regional model.
She stated that Malta is further investing in large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems and grid upgrades to address intermittency issues and ensure a higher percentage of renewables on the islands. She continued that the second interconnector will double our EU energy capacity, boosting renewables and stabilising the grid.
“By 2030, we aim to cut greenhouse gases by 41% from 2005 levels and raise renewable energy to about 25%. Our vision is to create green jobs, position Malta as a sustainable energy leader and collaborate regionally to help the Mediterranean develop into a green energy hub,” she said, whilst highlighting that Malta, through the MED9 conference of energy ministers, brought together for the first time the nine EU member states of the Mediterranean to pave the way for a green energy Mediterranean hub.
“With the strengthening of relations between Malta and IRENA, the international agency can also contribute to the expansion of this vision, laid out during the MED9 conference. The collaboration between IRENA and Malta grows stronger every year and this year we are proud to be chosen as one of the facilitators of the important discussions focusing on increased access to renewable energy,” said Dr Dalli.
In comments to various international media outlets, Dr Miriam Dalli explained that, despite the country’s unique geographical constraints and limited land availability, Malta’s progress is led by innovation and determination. “The government has strategically prioritised offshore renewable energy, particularly floating offshore wind, as a key pillar of the transition. These offshore projects are intended to complement continued investment in rooftop and innovative solar solutions, maximising what can realistically be deployed on the island,” Minister Dalli said.
The IRENA Assembly is attended by ministers, high-level officials, and representatives from 139 countries, different institutions and the European Union. The goal is to create a shared agenda and set priorities for international collaboration in pursuit of a better energy future.