Debono tables motion to stop HFO at Delimara

On Thursday morning MP Franco Debono tabled a parliamentary motion to stop the use of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to operate the BWSC new plant at Delimara Power Station. The motion also calls for the closing down of the oil storage depot of Enemalta at Birzebbuga.

In his motion Debono says that the use of HFO by the BWSC plant at Delimara is “unacceptable" and “detrimental and of serious threat" to the health of residents in the Birzebbuga, Marsaxlokk, Zejtun, Marsascala and neighbouring localities.

On Sunday, just back from his holiday Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi will be addressing a political meeting in Birzebbuga.

In 2006 Gonzi’s cabinet had approved the national electricity generation plan 2006-2015 based on the decision that the new extension at Delimara should be fired by gas and that the use of HFO should be abandoned for financial, health and environmental reasons.

The Labour Party accused the government of changing its policy, the tender procedures and specifications and local environmental law to enable BWSC to bid and win the tender of the Delimara Power Station extension. Labour MP Evarist Bartolo had revealed a series of emails showing that BWSC’s agent in Malta was boasted that he had people in top places in Malta who would help him win the bid.

The National Auditor in his investigations had concluded that the tender should have been stopped and re-issued.