Updated | Delimara scandal puts economic growth at risk – Labour

Adds Nationalist Party statement at 4:43pm

The damage in the new turbines at the Delimara power station justifies the doubts voiced by Labour on the choice of prototype technology by GonziPN, Labour MP Charles Mangion said.

In a statement, he explained that the damage at the Delimara power plant extenstion will negatively effect economic growth and competitivness.

Mangion added that "it also justifies the doubts on GonziPN's decision to change its energy policy from one based on gas to one based on heavy fuel oil which put people's health at risk."

The Labour MP said it is "shameful" that the maltese people have to shoulder the €200 million debt for a power plant which is faulty.

He hit out at the government's irresponsibility for defending its wrong decisions and said it is unacceptable for an EU member country aspiring for political accountability to refuse any kind of responsibility in this matter.

"Above all, the failures of the Delimara power plant extension has a serious affect on the economy," Mangion said.

He pointed out that over the last 18 months the country suffered 1100 power cuts which had a negative affect on the manufacturing industry, tourism and economic sectors, apart from being an inconvenience for families who already pay high prices for their energy.

Mangion pointed out that the Delimara scandal is happening in the background of growing public debt which has now reached €6 billion.

Mangion noted that responsibility and accountability demand that whoever took the wrong decisions in regards to the Delimara power plant extension shoulders the responsibility.

"Responsibility lays squarely on the shoulders of GonziPN who promised one thing but did the opposite which resulted in families and businesses carrying the weight of such decisions," Mangion said.

He added that while companies and business work relentlessly to create jobs and wealth, the government's instability and irresponsibility is hindering their progress.

Meanwhile the PN said that Mangion was wrong and giving incorrect information in many aspects.

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, the Nationalist Party denied that the technology used at the Delimara power plant extension is a prototype and pointed out that the extension will run on the same fuel oil used at the current plant in Delimara.

However, the PN said, the extension has an abatement system which reduces emissions. It added that the extension can also run on gas, however the necessary infrastructure is not in place yet.

"While Mangion is saying that the plans should have been powered by gas from the start, it must be noted that up to December 2011, the MLP (sic) was insisting that the plant should run on diesel."

The PN also pointed out that the extension will cost €165 million and not €200 million as Mangion stated.

While accusing Mangion of misinforming the public, the PN said: "The government will keep investing in energy generation and distribution systems to continue providing a stable energy service which is vital in attracting jobs and investment to Malta."