Criminal steps to be taken against minds behind smart meter theft

Energy minister Konrad Mizzi today said that perpetrators involved in the tampering of electricity meters, which resulted in a subsequent theft from Enemalta, will face criminal procedures.

It was revealed earlier this week that hundreds of residences and businesses have benefited from an "expert job" that saw the new smart meters - which were introduced in 2011 - accessed and inserted with a special device that recorded fewer energy units being consumed.

According to the minister, the theft amounted to around 10% of Enemalta's electricity distribution, a figure which amounted to roughly €30 million.

"Since a police investigation is currently ongoing, I would prefer not to say too much on the matter but, yes, criminal proceedings will be taken against the perpetrators," Mizzi said.

The minister said that the households which benefitted from the tariff reductions will be contacted but these will be urged to divulge any information they may have of the Enemalta employees who installed their meters.

Mizzi was speaking at a conference entitled 'Setting Standards in Tourism through Alternative Energy Use', held at the Paradise Bay Hotel, in which the benefits of a solar thermal plant project - which the hotel launched in June 2013 - were discussed.

The aims of the project include the heating of an indoor pool all year round, a more efficient and lower CO2 foot print and a reduction in energy costs and fuel consumption.

The hotel has also taken on other energy efficient projects such as the lighting up of corridors using natural light, the changing of light fixtures to LED technology, a water recycle system for the re-use of it as secondary water and the installation of automatic air conditioning shut-off switches in guest rooms.

The project has resulted in a fuel cost savings of more than €20,000 with a CO2 reduction of 79,076 kg over the six month period from June to September.

Mizzi said that such projects served as proof that it was possible to be innovative and cist-efficient at the same time.

Expressing his belief that other players in the hospitality sector should follow the example set by the Paradise Hotel, he said that the advantages of such schemes were both environmental and financial.

"The country's target is to be able to generate 10% of all energy through natural sources by 2020," he said, stressing that projects such as this will help reach that goal.

Mizzi also said that government was intent on leading by example, with the allocation of €21 million in the last budget for such projects a clear sign of this.

Tourism minister, Karmenu Vella, was also present for the conference and, whilst commending the Paradise Bay Hotel, he said that such initiatives served as a 'four-way win' in the sense that hotel industry, tourism, the country, and the people will enjoy its benefits.

"The tourism sector is one which is often considered to have very negative impacts on the environment," he said.

"Of course, it is our aim to maximize on the economic benefits of the industry, but this should never be done at the cost of the environment."

Vella stressed that eco-certification was as important today as it has ever been, citing the fact that today tour operators, as well as individual tourists, would prefer to stay in eco-certified hotels if given the choice.

"Unlike most other Mediterranean countries, Malta offers an all year round operation, which means that having luxuries such as all year round heated pool will be an attractive prospect, and could make a big difference to potential clients," he said.

Vella concluded by saying that whilst government remained determined to help the hotel industry, it was encouraging to see that hotels were also helping themselves.

"I sincerely hope that other hotels adopt the same tactics," he said.