MARIN report on new power stations ‘raises more questions’ than answers – FAA

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) has called on the Planning Authority to appoint its own experts to study the Electrogas risk assessment reports prepared by Dutch consultants MARIN on the new gas-fired power station.

FAA said that the reports flag “a serious problem” with the moorings in case of extreme weather conditions, since anchors – no matter how heavy – are not enough to hold the tanker. 

“Moorings are the key element in embedding anchors in the seabed, as the forces exerted by the tanker during extreme weather far exceed the weight of 35 tonne anchors,” FAA said.

FAA argued that the conclusions of some of the Marin reports clearly showed that the moorings may fail in some particular instances.

“How is the Planning Authority, and ultimately the government, going to respond to these safety questions being raised in the reports forwarded by Marin?” FAA asked.

“Has the Planning Authority appointed its own experts of the same stature as the consultants appointed by Electrogas? If not, how can the Regulator and, ultimately the Government be 100% sure of the safety of this project?”

FAA went on to ask which regulators are going to be in charge of the safe operation of the plant once it becomes operational.  

“What experience levels do these regulators have to be able to guarantee the level and quality of inspections? What is the level of experience of the persons carrying out the inspections on behalf of the regulatory bodies on similar plants?”

FAA insisted that answers were required before the project can go ahead.