Comments on: Government will buy Gasan/Tumas power station for €450 million if European Commission does not approve power-purchase contract

By: John Jones

John Jones — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 20:20:00 +0000

It is highly unlikely that this purchase would be allowed by the EU. This is insider trading at its worst and is illegal.

By: Frank Zatarra

Frank Zatarra — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:49:00 +0000

Apart from the obvious political considerations on national energy independance, the market prices show that the most efficient choice would be to build another interconnector (the authorisation on the Italian side already accounts for a second cable), providing for a redundant, cheap and clean power supply.

By: Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 04:53:00 +0000

Win, win scenarios for the Triad.

By: C Falzon

C Falzon — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:16:00 +0000

The ‘clean air’ thing is also a complete fabrication. They have put up internet adverts and billboards saying that we will have 90% less dust in the air thanks to the new power station.

This is preposterous when you consider that atmospheric analysis has shown that the power station is not even responsible for one percent of the dust in our air, even if you consider only dust originating from combustion.

I don’t understand is why the Nationalist Party did not report the adverts to the advertising standards authority (or whatever its correct name is). As far as I know it is actually illegal to advertise false claims.

By: PETER MALLIA

PETER MALLIA — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:16:00 +0000

This is a real pro business government. Please, other governments, take note and learn.

Capital: no problem – we guarantee 80%
Revenue: no problem – we guarantee 100% over 18 years

Problems: if, with all the above, you still don’t manage, we will bail you out to another 100%

If that is not pro business, i don’t know what is. I’d like to open a multi million business also. WHere do I apply?

Unfortunately its only valid for a very few chosen people and its our money that is being used.

By: C Falzon

C Falzon — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:09:00 +0000

In reply to Veronica. Unfortunately renewable sources are not yet in a position to compete with fossil fuels, only to complement them. On an economic level renewables are actually more costly than fossil fuel by a good stretch. That said I think we still have a responsibility to future generations to invest in renewables if only to contribute in a small way to advance the technology, even if it may cost us economically.

By: C Falzon

C Falzon — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:06:00 +0000

I’m pretty sure the European Commission’s failure to approve it is actually an integral part of the ‘roadmap’. As with most other routes in the infamous roadmap, it is a means of efficiently transferring taxpayers’ money to various private entities and individuals.

At first I struggled to understand how the power station plan would have worked for them, but the moment the loan guarantee and then the buyout option were revealed, all became clear.

By: Neil Dent

Neil Dent — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 20:49:00 +0000

Well, unbelievably, it does still need to be explained in plain terms as used by Daphne now and again. Memories can be so short.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:21:00 +0000

Nationalists should react by pushing for renewable sources of energy rather than fossil guzzling climate killers.

By: J Sammut

J Sammut — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 15:40:00 +0000

May I add that they inflated the total price of the LNG white elephant by 50%.

The money involved was “costed” …Remember?

€25m Government subsidy to Enemalta that will be retained.

€68m Price Enemalta will pay to convert BWSC extension to gas.

€142m Price of the gas infrastructure to be paid by the private investor.

€166m Price of new 200MW power plant to be paid by the private investor.

€187m Savings made as a result of this plan.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130109/local/Labour-announces-its-plan-to-cut-utility-bills.452480

So Electrogas should have forked out €142m + €166m = €308m not €450m