MEPA drafts permit conditions for Delimara extension

MEPA issues draft permit conditions to Enemalta for the extension of the Delimara power station to abide by EU legislations on emissions and fuel used.

15 November 2011, 12:00am

2 min read

MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate reviewed submissions made by Enemalta as well representations made by the local council of the area and public, and following extensive public consultation, issued draft permit conditions for the extension of the Delimara power station.

The MEPA Board will conduct a public hearing to discuss the IPPC permit conditions in December.

The IPPC permit conditions require prevention or reduction of emissions where possible. Although diesel produces better environmental results overall, emission limit values proposed in the draft conditions are expected to be abided by both diesel and heavy fuel oil with the proposed abatement equipment at the extension.

Emission limits followed were in accordance with EU legislation.

In order to adopt a precautionary approach, MEPA said the draft conditions require constant ambient air monitoring if heavy fuel oil is to be used.

The performance of the plant will be reviewed by no later than September 2012 to determine whether the correct predictions are made and heavy fuel oil can continue to be used or not.

The draft permit conditions require that further data to be collected in 2012 through ambient air monitoring. A monitoring committee will be set up for this purpose and will include a representative of the local community, and appoint an independent expert as consultant.

A cost impact analysis conducted by KPMG indicated that a change from heavy fuel oil to diesel would induce an increase in costs of approximately €20 million for the eight-month period between May, when the extension would begin operating, and December 2012.

The analysis estimates that if the extension operates on diesel for this period, the target variable revenue to be recovered through consumption charges underlying the current tariff for this period would need to increase by 10%.

Regarding the transport of waste generated by the extension, Enemalta proposed a land route. Enemalta would be obliged to carry out a study on the infrastructural requirements, feasibility and environmental risks of the marine transport of this waste. Depending on the outcome of the study, to be submitted by March 2012, marine transport of waste may be required.

Enemalta would also be required to ensure that no development or operation of the plant would obstruct further development for the use of natural gas, both supplied through a pipeline or in liquid form, as a major fuel for electricity generation. Enemalta will be required to submit a feasibility study by December 2012 regarding the conversion of the Delimara Power Station to various gas fuel options.