Policies in Malta

Malta uses a number of different support schemes in order to facilitate development of RES-E in the country. Solar PV is the most viable source of RES-E in Malta. It is projected to contribute to 42% of Malta’s RES contribution in 2030.
However, also other renewable energy sources are supported in the country through tenders.
Malta’s target for the RES- E sector is 11% by 2030 (NECP, pg. 40-41).

• Subsidy for PV installations – The subsidy is allocated to new solar PV installations connected to the grid. Its purpose is to help investors in the residential and non-residential sectors overcome existing cost barriers.
• Support through feed-in-tariff - Electricity generated by PV installations with a capacity of less than 400kWp is supported through a feed-in tariff.
• Tenders for PV and Wind plants - Installations with a capacity exceeding 1,000 kWp are promoted through tenders. Eligible are new photovoltaic installations and new wind energy installations, which have not benefitted from other support.
• Tenders for small installations - Malta has a premium tariff, which is awarded through a tender held by the Ministry for Energy and Water Management. Eligible are RES installations with a capacity between 400 kWp and 1,000 kWp.

Regulator for Energy and Water Services
Ministry for Energy and Conservation of Water

In the heating and cooling sector, the only technology being supported by the Maltese state are solar water heaters.
The share of renewable heating and cooling is expected to reach 22.06% by 2020 and rising to 25.71% by 2030 (NECP).

Malta supports an installation of solar water heaters though a subsidy scheme.

Regulator for Energy & Water Services

The RES-T share is expected to be predominantly met by an increase in biofuel consumption. An increase in the share of electric vehicles in the road transport vehicle fleet in Malta is also projected.
The share of RES-T is expected to reach 15% by 2030. (NECP, pg. 42)

• Biofuel quota - Support for renewable energy sources in transport is provided through a substitution obligation on importers and wholesalers of fossil fuels.
• Malta also has grant schemes on the purchase of electric vehicles.
• Electric vehicles are also supported though an exemption from registration tax and the annual road license fee.
• There is ongoing pilot project for residential charging of electric vehicles

Ministry of Тransport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects
Authority for Transport in Malta (Transport Malta)
Regulator for Energy and Water Services
Enemalta plc

Malta plans to increase its share of renewable energy technologies in its gross final energy consumption to 11.5% by 2030. In the electricity sector, the share of renewables is planned to rise to 11% by 2030 (Malta NECP, 2019). In comparison, as of 2019, the share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption was 8.5% and the share of renewables in the electricity sector was 8.04% (Eurostat, nrg_ind_ren).
The growth potential and the biggest increase foreseen is for solar energy. Both rooftop PV and brownfield sites for ground-mounted PV will continue to be given priority.
In the Maltese NECP, neither onshore nor offshore wind energy are included as a viable renewable technology option contributing to Malta’s renewable energy objectives for the EU’s 2030 target (NECP, 2019).

1. Site selection process
2. Electricity production license process is intertwined with the administrative authorization processes.
3. Grid connection permit process.

The Malta Planning Authority
Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS)
Enemalta plc

Enemalta plc is the designated distribution system operator in Malta. It is responsible for dispatching generation plants and for balancing the distribution system. Enemalta plc must also ensure the availability of any necessary ancillary services, as may be prescribed by the Regulator. (art. 13 (1) S.L. 545.13).

Plant operators may connect to the grid after obtaining a licence from the Regulator for Energy & Water Services (REWS) (Art. 4 S.L. 545.13). The REWS may refuse to grant a licence only under the conditions set out in the Electricity Regulations (3rd Schedule S.L. 545.13). Grid connection costs are all covered by the plant developer.

Electricity generated using renewable energy sources must be given priority access by the DSO. (art. 25 (1) S.L. 545.13)

The distribution system operator is responsible for developing the transmission and distribution grid infrastructure, intelligent networks, storage facilities and the electricity system, in order to allow the secure operation of the electricity system as it accommodates the further development of electricity production from renewable energy sources.

Enemalta plc
Regulator for Energy & Water Services (REWS)

Number of DSOs: 1
Number of legally unbundled DSOs: 0
Malta benefits from the exemption from the requirements of Directive 2009/72/EC: the Maltese Electricity Market Regulations require unbundling at an internal accounting level only.
(Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric; Distribution System Operator Observatory 2020)

97.3%
(Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric)

Total number of active electricity nationwide suppliers: 1
Switching rates for electricity household customers in 2018: no switching possible
(Source: Monitoring Report on the Performance of European Retail Markets in 2018. CEER Report)