Labour want to capture sun’s power in parks and panelled roofs

Energy was the focus of Joseph Muscat's day so far, hosting the press at the Bulebel industrial estate where he presented his proposals for the renewable energy sector.

Muscat said a new Labour government would launch an energy-efficient support service, in which households would participate in a voluntary survey carried out by private companies, so that a study could be carried out on energy consumption patterns.

Muscat said the service would benefit those who have above-average consumption, and would later form the basis of a national strategy to reduce consumption of water and electricity.

Complementary to the support service would be a 'scrapping' scheme for old appliances, to be replaced by new, energy-efficient appliances from any retailer. An eco-friendly kit, on the same lines as that already launched in Gozo, would allow families to reduce their water consumption by up to 25%, Muscat said.

"We intended financing these schemes from savings we will earn across all government departments, but this will start from the next year's budget," Muscat said.

Muscat also contradicted claims by finance minister Tonio Fenech that Labour's plan for the importation of natural gas into harbour necessitated specially built tankers.

"Our plan also includes the pipeline, but the best option is to go for a liquefied natural gas terminal. We don't even know exactly if this government has in fact applied for EU funds for the gas pipeline. If the EU is ready to finance it, then well and good. We are conscious that this project will take time, but something must be done urgently."

Muscat also said a Labour government would keep wind energy as part of its renewable energy mix, to reach EU2020 targets and have all infrastructure in palce by 2018.

He said that apart from solar parks, a new government would give people whose apartments have no access to rooftops to benefit from collective photovoltaic panel schemes. The solar panel systems would also be financed through a special purpose vehicle in collaboration with the private sector.