Malta Advances 2024 National Energy and Climate Plan

Work is being carried out on Malta’s 2024 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), a plan that will lay down the country’s pathway to transition towards a more decarbonised economy across all sectors, reflecting the realities and challenges faced by Malta as an island state.

During a meeting with a delegation from the European Commission, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli explained in detail the Ministry’s plan to transition towards a greener economy by investing in cleaner energy sources and supporting measures that favour climate policies.

The Commission delegation is in Malta as part of its Energy and Climate Roadshow. Led by Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General at DG ENER, the delegation held a number of meetings with different stakeholders from the public sector, eNGOs and industry to discuss the 2040 climate targets. 

“Our commitment is to pursue potential effective policies and measures that can help Malta in its emission reduction aim. Our primary consideration remains that of focusing on the investment needed, while considering the principles of implementing a just transition,” Minister Dalli said.

The Minister referred to initiatives and measures being undertaken, including the setting up of the Climate Action Authority, the publication of the National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewables, the preliminary market consultation on offshore floating photovoltaics, the support to businesses and households to invest in more sustainable systems and the ongoing investment in the country’s infrastructure. 

Data produced by the National Statistics Office shows that, in 2023, the total stock of installations amounted to 33,818 PV. When compared to 2022, generation of energy from grid-connected PVs increased by 6.7%, totalling an estimated value of 309.3 GWh.

The Energy Minister urged the European Commission to include tailored solutions to ensure that the cost of decarbonisation technology is equitably distributed, particularly for those Member States that are technology takers. 

“A fairer transition to sustainability needs to be facilitated, ensuring that peripheral countries are not disproportionately burdened and can effectively contribute to and benefit from the EU’s overall climate goals,” she said.

In comments following the meeting, Mr Baldwin said, “We are encouraged by the determination with which Malta is approaching the national energy climate plan. These plans are of great use to Member States as a sort of implementation and investment handbook and we hear positive things as Malta works to its next iteration of these plans. On our side, we absolutely take into account the pressures that Malta, as a small island, on the periphery of Europe faces. We are absolutely ready to discuss, listen and understand, and we will be able to see for ourselves some of these challenges and opportunities that Malta will have in the future during these challenging but exciting times of the climate transition.”