National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy | Malta

National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy

While it is widely recognised that the Maltese Islands are limited by their spatial ground area of 316km2, the country through its strategic geographical location in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, has a potential Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 70,000km2, which is much larger than its land area. This makes Malta, as the smallest EU member state, suitably positioned to become one of the main beneficiaries of the blue economy driven by offshore renewables. The development of an offshore renewable energy policy aims at strengthening Malta’s overall energy policy, contributing further to the country’s already successful path in achieving a ‘greener’ balance between energy-use and impact on the environment. This evolution will ensure further diversification in the local energy mix and will also support the country to meet its ever-increasing challenging targets and objectives for achieving an affordable, reliable and clean source of electricity. Furthermore, it will present an opportunity for job creation and economic growth. 1.3 Energy harnessed through offshore renewables may contribute towards the decarbonisation of the power sector in line with the European Union’s (EU) net zero target for 2050. The investment in offshore renewables can drive a blue economy, which is purely based on sustainable use of ocean resources. Tapping into this sector can also provide significant socio-economic opportunities including the creation of green jobs, improved local value chains, better quality of life and enhanced synergies among blue economy players

Offshore Wind and Hydrogen