Malta has released a draft of its National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy, setting out six zones for floating offshore wind development.
The document issued by the country’s Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise states that the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) has conducted a preliminary exercise to determine the technical potential for offshore wind energy generation from a spatial and technological constraint perspective.
The analysis examined the availability of zones which have minimal impact on competing uses within the country’s territorial waters and the sea area beyond them and within 25 miles from the baselines.
“The potential areas identified in the Extended Low-Risk Scenario have been identified following the exercise carried out by EWA and updated after consultations with main stakeholders,” states the document.
“This assessment may be updated further following feedback which shall be gathered as part of the public consultation process.”
The Ministry will make launch a call for expressions of interest after the public consultation and the updating of the policy document, while a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be prepared concurrently.
The plan-level SEA will narrow down the preliminary areas and pinpoint the preferred locations for offshore wind farms.
“The deployment of offshore renewable energy is at the core of delivering the European Green Deal, and the Maltese Government is committed to developing an offshore renewable industry supporting the transition toward a climate-neutral island by 2050,”
said Minister for Environment, Energy, and Enterprise Miriam Dalli.
“It is essential to ensure that industry, both locally and overseas, is ready to contribute to the delivery of renewable energy while also maximising the economic benefit which will arise from the availability of abundant clean, renewable energy.
“This will eventually create new jobs while delivering economic opportunities for all Maltese residents.
“The National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy aligns with the “EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy”. This Policy will guide the participation process of various economic players, administration and citizens who will be putting forward their contributions.”
The full policy can be found here.