Eurostat has just published a news release focusing on the progress of the European Union towards its 2020, 20% energy efficiency target.It highlights how the “energy efficiency” gap for the 28 Member States was still 4% in 2016. However, Malta was identified amongst those Member States that reduced most their primary energy consumption with a 22.5% reduction between 2006 and 2016. This is mainly due to the investments made in the energy sector, which led to improved power generation and distribution efficiency.
Other demand side measures have also contributed towards Malta’s achievement. These include energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes implemented over the past years , such as the scrappage of 8900 vehicles as a result of a number of government scrappage schemes, the upgrading of street-lighting including the replacement of 5000 conventional lamps to LEDs in Gozo, and 92MW of PV installations deployed by 2016.
The Energy and Water Agency is responsible for developing effective policies and measures to ensure that consumers have access to secure, economically viable and an environmentally sustainable energy.
Author’s Biography:
Ing. Charles Buttigieg is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering with a Masters Degree in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Malta. He has worked in various engineering posts at Enemalta Corporation and after joining the Malta Resource Authority formed part of the team that drafted the conditions for the energy market to be liberalised. Charles has been involved in the international aspects of the energy market since the mid-90’s resulting in him being heavily involved in the drafting of local transposition of EU Directives, Codes of Practice, and the first Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for the Islands. Today, Ing. Buttigieg carries the post of Chief Policy Officer (Energy) within the Energy and Water Agency with special focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the conventional energy market.