The General Workers Union yesterday entered the fray to denounce the choice of a fuel oil turbine for the 100MW extension to the Delimara power station.
The tender has attracted controversy for the choice of the fuel oil turbine, over a gas turbine proposed by Israeli firm Bateman, who have protested that their offer was cheaper than the fuel turbine.
In a statement, the GWU said it did not want to enter into the controversy over who merited the contract, but said environmental health should be the absolute priority for any government.
“The GWU thinks that the government challenged public opinion by contradicting its own environmental policy, when the power station extension will be generating tonnes more of dangerous waste, to the detriment of both health and security of workers, and residents, especially those living in the south of the island.”
The union said any form of development should be sustainable, without compromising future generations. It said people paid their taxes to see their lives get better, and that the authorities had to ensure the measures they take were not to the detriment of either the environment or people’s health.
“The GWU believes the economy must be guided in equilibrium with the environment, meaning an economic development without being in isolation of people’s needs. The GWU calls on the authorities to review their decision on the Delimara extension.”
In a reaction, the Nationalist Party accused the GWU of buying into Labour’s propaganda. It defended government’s decision on the Delimara extension by saying it was “an environmentally right decision”.
The PN said that had Israeli firm Bateman been chosen, utility bills would increase by 30%-75%.
“Joseph Muscat and the GWU are acting like agents of the company that lost the contract, which did not even appeal the decision… the new plant is compatible with EU standards and the country is bound by law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The new plant has to be finished by 2011 and is needed in time for the interconnection between Malta and Sicily.”
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