PN call for extension of Enemalta’s 50c solar roof space lease

The Nationalist Party has described the government’s lease of roof space for the development of solar panels at an annual rate of 50c per square metre as “discriminatory” and have proposed that all Maltese businesses start benefitting from the same rates.
“Maltese businesses should be leased land at the same rate that it has been leased to Shanghai Electric Power,” shadow energy minister Marthese Portelli told a press conference, referring to the Chinese state-owned company that owns a third of Enemalta plc.

When asked by MaltaToday whether this proposal in itself could be considered discriminatory to non-Maltese companies who will not be able to benefit from these lower rates, Portelli said that she is “against all discrimination, but particularly that in favour of a foreign company”.

“The government should stop discriminating in favour of SEP and against Maltese companies, several of which already invest in renewable energy.”
Portelli revealed a recent letter sent by the Malta Industrial Parks informing businesses that they could lease MIP roof space to install photovoltaic panels at an annual rate of €3.35 per square metre.

“This is also discriminatory, and we therefore propose that this rate gets adjusted to 50c to reflect the rate that has been offered to Enemalta,” Portelli said. “This way, we can ensure that Maltese businesses are given the same opportunities as foreign ones and aren’t treated as lower class companies.”
She also demanded that the government instantly reveal detailed plans for new renewable energy schemes, such as insulation systems and energy audits, that families will be able to benefit from. 

Opposition MP Robert Arrigo called on the government to revoke “400 new taxes that it had imposed on families and businesses in this year’s Budget”.

“If the government is doing so well economically, then why did it introduce those taxes?” Arrigo, the PN’s spokesperson for small business, questioned.

Earlier this month, MaltaToday revealed that Enemalta was granted over 300,000 square metres of roof space for the development of solar panels at an annual rate of 50 cents per square metre, in a deed hammered out just two days before being incorporated into a public limited company.

The government’s incorporation of Enemalta as a public limited company paved the way for its eventual 33% acquisition by SEP for €320 million.

Enemalta and SEP will now pay an annual €154,767 for the solar roof space.

The GRTU had earlier expressed their disappointment at how the 310,000 square metres of roof space were leased to SEP instead of to local businesses for investment.