Creation Covenant Alliance

Maltese Government Plans to Release Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for Floating Wind Developers

Malta to publish a pre-qualification questionnaire for floating wind projects, advancing its renewable energy plans.
Maltese Government to Issue Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for Floating Wind Developers

The Maltese government is set to release a pre-qualification questionnaire for parties interested in developing floating wind projects.

This information follows a consultation document issued in September, ahead of the country’s Budget 2025 announcement on 28 October.

Initially, the government identified six potential areas for floating wind development, later narrowing it down to two areas for tender. Offshore surveys began in these regions over the summer.

According to the pre-budget consultation document, the Maltese Ministry for Finance stated that preparations are being finalized to issue a pre-qualification questionnaire to attract renewable energy suppliers through floating wind turbine technology.

Besides floating wind farms, Malta is exploring nearshore solar energy projects, having launched a preliminary market consultation at the start of this year to assess technological readiness.

Both initiatives were emphasized by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana in his Budget 2025 speech. Caruana described the strategy to harness wind and solar resources as strategic, involving steps such as implementing a second interconnector, investing in battery energy storage, and launching a national policy for renewable energy projects.

For floating wind, many elements are in place following the adoption of a national policy for offshore renewable energy in 2023. This policy highlighted Malta’s potential outside its 12-nautical-mile territorial waters and within the Exclusive Economic Zone, selecting the most suitable sites for floating wind farms.

In the 2025 budget, the Ministry for Finance estimated renewable energy schemes will require EUR 4.1 million next year.

According to a 2021 assessment by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition (OREAC), and World Bank-funded ESMAP, Malta has 25 GW of technical offshore wind potential, all deemed most suitable for floating wind technology.

Follow offshoreWIND.biz on:

Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz

Trending News

Bad River: A Tribal Fight Against Pipeline Expansion Emphasizes Long-Term Environmental Planning


A recent legal battle between the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a major energy corporation has highlighted the importance of long-term environmental planning. The tribe is challenging the expansion of an aging oil pipeline that runs through their territory in northern Wisconsin, citing potential risks to their land and water resources.



As environmental concerns grow, the tribe is using this case as an opportunity to advocate for sustainable practices and protection of natural resources. The pipeline, operated by a Canadian company, has been a point of contention for years due to concerns about leaks and spills that could damage the tribe’s ancestral lands.



The Bad River Band’s resistance is part of a broader movement among Indigenous communities who are increasingly standing up against large-scale industrial projects threatening their environment and way of life. This case echoes similar disputes across North America where Indigenous rights and environmental protection intersect.



Despite the company’s assurances of safety measures and economic benefits, the Bad River Band remains firm in their opposition. They argue that the risks posed by the aging infrastructure outweigh any proposed benefits. The tribe’s long-term vision focuses on preserving their land for future generations, aligning with broader global initiatives to prioritize sustainability.



This ongoing legal confrontation underscores how Indigenous communities are crucial voices in conversations about environmental policy and infrastructure development. For more information on Indigenous environmental advocacy, visit Sierra Club and Greenpeace.



The case serves as a reminder of the complex challenges involved in balancing economic development with environmental conservation. It highlights how the power of collective action and long-term thinking can shape the future of environmental policy.

November 1, 2024