Discover how Malta and Sicily are leading the energy transition in the Mediterranean. Innovative offshore wind projects and environmental sustainability at the centre of the latest conference in Taormina.
The recent conference in Taormina marked a crucial point for the energy transition in the Mediterranean, with the participation of the Maltese Minister for the Environment, The Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Miriam Dalli. The main theme of the meeting, as reported by the online newspaper “La Voce dello Jonio”, was offshore wind, a key area for sustainability and energy transition and carbon reduction.
During the conference, Minister Dalli highlighted the importance of collaboration between Malta and Sicily, two islands strategically located in the Mediterranean. This cooperation aims to exploit existing natural resources and infrastructure to develop renewable energy projects, The European Commission has published a report on the European Commission’s work in this field.
One of the main challenges of offshore wind in the Mediterranean is the depth of the seas, which makes installation complex. However, the minister expressed confidence in the ability to overcome these difficulties through technical innovation and advanced engineering solutions. Collaboration with Sicily will be essential to address these challenges and implement projects that can benefit the entire Mediterranean area.
On the theme of ASSOMALTA, the Italian Maltese Trade Association, expressed its support for the activities covered by the conference, stressing the importance of the relationship between Italy and Malta. “The collaboration between Italy and Malta is essential to promote sustainable development in the Mediterranean. We are ready to support these projects and the many efforts on the subject, for energy transition and decarbonization,” said Stefano Colombetti, president of ASSOMALTA, “Together, we can create a greener and more prosperous future for both nations.
Innovations in transport and sustainable mobility
An important step forward for the energy transition in the Mediterranean was marked by the introduction of the first electrical connection system of land for cruise ships in the port of Valletta in Malta. On board the MSC World Europe, a system was inaugurated that allows ships to turn off their engines and use electrical power from land, zero emissions during port stops. This represents a significant step towards the decarbonization of the maritime sector.
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela attended the opening ceremony, underlining the importance of this innovation for environmental sustainability. Michele Francioni, Chief Energy Transition Officer of MSC Cruises, has declared that the power supply from land is a crucial element of their engagement for the decarbonization and that MSC Cruises aims to equip 16 of its 22 ships with this technology by the end of 2024, The Commission has also decided to extend the scheme to 220 ports already equipped with this infrastructure.
In addition to the shore power connection, MSC Cruises has an ambitious plan to add at least 15 new ports to its shore power plan between 2024 and 2026. This project will include major ports located in Italy, Spain, France and other countries. The company’s strategy to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is based on three main pillars: ship and engine technology, operational efficiency and the use of green fuels.ì
Business support and technological innovation
During the Taormina conference on energy transition, the role of Malta Enterprise in this scenario in supporting energy transition and sustainability for Maltese companies was also highlighted. During the conference, Minister Dalli pointed out that the Maltese investment agency has already supported 16 green projects in the private sector, with an investment of 1 million euros. These projects aim to reduce the carbon footprint of companies and encourage a transition towards more sustainable business operations.
In 2024, the budget of Malta Enterprise will double to support further programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of companies. The aim is to encourage companies to invest in sustainable technologies and adopt more green practices, thus contributing to a comprehensive energy transition.
Another important aspect that was raised by the Minister is energy efficiency and emission reduction, highlighting how the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative practices can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. A concrete example is the investment in a more efficient seawater reverse osmosis system, which will increase energy efficiency by 22%, reduce water consumption by 78% and decrease carbon emissions by 10 tonnes.
