Brussels, 18/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 November, the European Commission opened in-depth investigation into Maltese plans to grant € 15.5 million aid to the Delimara Power Station which is operated by state-owned Enemalta to support the modification of boilers at the power station.
The aid would allow the company to reduce the investment costs of meeting the existing environmental standards applicable to large combustion plants across the EU. At this stage, the Commission has doubts whether the investment subsidy is necessary and well designed to perform a service of general economic interest, as is argued by the Maltese authorities. The opening of an in-depth investigation allows the Maltese authorities to present further arguments on this file and also gives interested third parties the possibility to submit comments on the proposed measures. “At this stage,” said Joaquín Alumina, Commission Vice-President in charge of competition policy, “I have doubts the investment aid is compatible with our EU single market state aid rules as Malta would thus subsidise the environmental standard costs which other electricity producers in the EU must meet on their own”. (O.L./transl.rt)