Pre-electoral permit for dismantling power station

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is set to approve the dismantling and decommissioning of the Marsa power station just two days before the local council elections of 11 April, with a case officer’s report revealing that extensive work has already been carried out without the necessary permits.

This round of local elections includes that for Marsa council, where residents have long borne the heavy cross of the polluting power station, which they will consider as a heaven-sent boon to see it go.

But the issue of the permit before local elections will not result in the commencement of works.

This is because the MEPA permit will specify that no demolition works are carried out before the authority issues an Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permit.

The permit will address the more complicated issues related to waste management and the disposal of possibly contaminated material found on the site. 

The case officer acknowledged that “the main concerns” with regard to the dismantling of the power station is the level of contamination of the land on which the facility is located” and in the waste which has to be disposed.

Both concerns will be addressed in the IPPC permit which will be issued at a later stage.

The report concludes that the dismantling of the power station will improve the general environment of the area.

The MEPA permit will also safeguard the scheduled bomb-proofed underground power station and remains of a Byzantine church discovered in an archaeological excavation in 1993, as recommended by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, which has approved the proposed development.

But the case officer’s report reveals that in December 2014 the Superintendence had objected to “extensive clearing works” which had been carried out on the site of the Marsa power station without its authorisation.

The Superintendence only learned of the works after it inspected the site following media reports on the discovery of an unexploded 50kg German Second World War bomb during excavation works by Enemalta.

In a letter sent to MEPA, the Superintendence had warned MEPA that these “unmonitored and unauthorised works” carried out directly above the bomb proof historic underground power station could pose a threat to the cultural heritage and were in breach of regulations. This part of the power station was scheduled in 2012 and cannot be demolished.

The Superintendence had asked MEPA to dispatch its enforcement unit on the site. 

In subsequent correspondence with MEPA the Superintendence did not object to plans to decommission the site as long as the underground power station is fully protected and remains of the Byzantine church are also safeguarded. 

The closure of the power station will be made possible by the  Malta Sicily interconnector.