[WATCH] Mizzi expects Montenegro wind farm to be fully operational by end of 2017

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and energy minister Konrad Mizzi visit Montenegro wind farm site

A wind farm project in Montenegro that Enemalta is investing in will be fully operational by the end of 2017, energy minister Konrad Mizzi said.

“This is a proud moment,” Mizzi said in comments to national broadcaster PBS during a visit to the Mozura mountain where the wind farm will be constructed. “All the necessary permits have been issued, construction contracts will soon be signed, and works are expected to start this April. We hope to see the first wind turbine operating by the end of 2016.”

Renewable Energy Development Ltd – a joint venture between Enemalta and Chinese state owned Shanghai Electric Power – last year won a contract to develop a wind farm in Mozura.

The joint venture owns 70% of the shares in the consortium entrusted to construct the wind farm. The other minor shareholders are Envision Energy, a Chinese wind turbine production company; and Vestigo Capital, a private investment fund based in the Balkans.

“The government has turned Enemalta’s fortunes around, from a company on the brink of failure to one that is capable of investing overseas,” Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told PBS. “The profit that Enemalta will make through this venture will allow it to finally invest in Malta’s electricity distribution sector.”

The wind farm project will consist of 23 wind turbines, each with a capacity of two megawatts. It is expected to generate 100GW hour a year and will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Montenegro.