€179 million a year in pollution costs by Marsa and Delimara power stations

An estimated €179 million in pollution damage is caused to the public health and environment every year, mainly from the Delimara and Marsa power stations.

28 November 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

The figure was revealed from calculations made by the European Environment Agency (EEA) which published its findings on the cost of pollution in every EU member State.

According to the EEA, power station pollution in Malta generates an 18% impact on the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which in 2009 totalled €3.5 billion.

Malta ranks the seventh out of 27 EU member States in terms of financial cost on pollution, where the EEA pointed out how pollution in Malta - given its population density - is more harmful.

According to the detailed study by the EEA, Malta's major pollutants are: nitrogen oxides (which cause respiratory and lung problems); acidifiers (soil and waters); Sulphur dioxide, which cause respiratory problems and Carbon dioxide, which is the most significant greenhouse gas influencing climate change.

The report coincides with the proposal by Norwegian company Sargas to finance a billion euro add-on to the present power station that would halve electricity tariffs, lead to zero emissions, capture of flue gases and carbon dioxide and use biomass such as olive kernels.