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EU’s Proposed Gas Reduction ‘Detrimental’ To Malta, Robert Abela Says As Malta Secures Exemption From Regulation

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Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed Malta’s stance against a European Union plan to cut gas consumption within the country.

Malta secured an exemption from a European Commission regulation proposing a reduction of 15% for gas use by member states in case of security of supply emergency.

The regulation was announced six days ago, after the EC proposed a blanket target for all EU countries to cut gas use by 15% from August to March, compared with their average consumption in the same period during 2016-2021. A rebuttal to Russia’s manipulation of supplies.

The so-called ‘Union Alert System’ would turn a voluntary reduction into a compulsory action.

However, during an extraordinary meeting among European Energy Ministers in Brussels, Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli argued that Malta is disconnected from the European gas network.

Considering Malta’s specific case, Dalli maintained that the ‘switching off’ of fuels was not a viable option. Rather, it would be detrimental to both households and businesses.

Malta’s use of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is used exclusively for the generation of electricity. In addition, the country relies on Italy to meet its electricity demand. Prices have soared to what—until recently—would have been unimaginable levels of €650 per megawatt hour, driven by the price of gas.

During the meeting, Dalli also struck a cord by talking about the importance of completing both hydrogen-ready and electricity networks in the EU. She said doing so was “a matter of urgency.”

Dalli made international news with an appearance on CNN where she talked about Malta’s specific circumstances and the consequences of abiding by the regulation imposed by the European Commission.

Taking to social media, Abela lauded Dalli’s efforts, stating that had the country not obtained the exemption, it would have been detrimental to businesses as well as families.

“Our country has successfully presented its case. In that it is an island cut off from the European network, which is also looking at other clean energy sources, such as the use of Hydrogen,” he wrote.

“Every day we are making decisions in the interest of our country, among others to keep energy prices stable, to intervene in favour of the people.”

“Despite this exemption, we will continue to work and incentivize the people in favor of the use of renewable energy.”

Do you think Malta needs to step up its effort to shift to non-renewable sources of energy?

READ NEXT: Two Months After Her Rescue, ‘Shelly’ The Baby Turtle Returns To Maltese Waters

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