A few days ago, 26 European islands launched a clean energy
transition with the support of the European Commission’s Clean Energy for EU
Islands Secretariat.
The islands are Hvar, Croatia; New Caledonia, France;
Pantelleria, Italy; A Illa de Arousa, Spain; Brač, Croatia; Crete, Greece;
Azores, Portugal; Gotland, Sweden; Korčula, Croatia; Samos, Greece; Ibiza,
Spain; Öland, Sweden; Kökar, Finland; Cape Clear, Ireland; Mallorca, Spain;
Orkney, UK; Marie-Galante, France; Favignana, Italy; Menorca, Spain and Group
of Off-Grid Scottish Islands, UK.
Gozitan and Maltese readers will immediately notice that
both islands are not on this list. While it could have been difficult for Malta
to present a strategy for energy transition for the whole island, as was the
focus of this first phase, this could well have been possible for Gozo.
Incidentally, the Maltese government was one of the original signatories of the
Clean Energy Islands declaration in 2017. But then, the same Government did not
apply for clean energy funds for Gozo.
This is very disappointing. Gozo is being denied from a
sustainable path that leads to more energy self-reliance, cleaner energy and
the creation of green jobs. How can the Maltese government be taken seriously
on its climate change goals when it excludes its own Gozo from EU funding to
embark on a clean energy path?
I hope that Government’s decision was not based on the fact
that it has bound Malta to be dependent on expensive gas from Azerbaijan, which
is costing the taxpayer millions of euros extra every year and which is
resulting in high utility bills.
In the meantime, I have personally checked with the
secretariat of the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative on whether we are
still in time to apply for funding projects. I was informed that later this
year there is indeed going to be another call for applications for support on specific
renewable energy projects. Projects that involve a variety of different
stakeholders (from civil society, local municipalities, local businesses or
local educational institutes) will be able to receive targeted technological
and/or financial advice. Projects from both Malta and Gozo could qualify under this
initiative. I look forward to the Maltese government ensuring that all
stakeholders are well informed of the opportunities and that multiple
applications are presented to reap this strategic opportunity for transition to
clean energy on our islands.
I believe that investment in research
on energy should be more even across the EU; that investment in energy should
prioritize renewables, energy efficiency and energy conservation; that
assistance to industry should take into account the realities in small islands;
and that micro-investment in renewable energy should have more opportunities for
EU funds.
I believe in a European Union where small islands have an
important say. Let us make sure that both Gozo and Malta reap the benefits of
such a strategy.
