ENERGY PLANNING AND IMPROVING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN GOZO, MALTA
Overview
To support long-term energy planning in insular areas, an analysis was conducted for the Municipality of Gozo, considering local renewable energy (RES) potential, demographic trends, and environmental protection. Three energy scenarios were evaluated: LowRES (business-as-usual approach), RES (moderate renewable integration), and HighRES (full renewable transition). The results indicate that Gozo has significant potential for solar energy generation, complemented by offshore wind and tidal energy, so a diverse set of technologies was considered. The HighRES scenario demonstrates that a system with a high share of renewable energy is feasible with strong municipal support and strategic investments.To achieve this, the municipality could facilitate the expansion of solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations on rooftops and industrial areas. Public buildings should lead by adopting energy-efficient solutions and integrating battery storage. Encouraging residential PV adoption, investing in electric mobility and implementing public awareness campaigns on smart energy use and wind power benefits will further support a sustainable energy transition.
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b)
Figure 1 Monthly representation of technologies contributing to the power supply in a) RES and b) HighRES scenario, with import representing the necessary additional energy that would be imported from the grid
Socio-Economic Feasibility Analysis
The socio-economic feasibility analysis for the energy transition scenarios in Gozo highlights the economic benefits and job creation potential associated with renewable energy investments. The HighRES scenario, which aims for a 100% renewable energy system, requires an investment of approximately €21.8 million in solar PV and €18 million in wind power, with additional funding for electric vehicles (EVs) reaching €500 million (but also represents private investment in decarbonized transport). The cost of HighRES implementation is therefore offset by long-term sustainability and energy independence. This transition is projected to create significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 111 full-time equivalent (FTE) engineering jobs, 10 FTE operation and maintenance jobs, and 84 FTE installation jobs by 2030. The RES scenario, which represents an intermediate level of renewable integration, is expected to generate 92 FTE engineering jobs, 6 FTE operation and maintenance jobs, and 65 FTE installation jobs. Additionally, it was determined that public-private partnerships can accelerate the adoption of RES technologies as well as that offshore wind and tidal energy provide stability to the energy system. These figures indicate a stable workforce demand, particularly in installation and maintenance, supporting long-term economic resilience while driving the island toward sustainability.
Macro objective:
- Demonstrate the feasible integrated energy system for an insular community, based on locally available renewable energy sources
Specific objectives:
- Use locally available renewable energy
- Decarbonize sectors of energy demand
- Provide socio-economically sound options for the development of an island
Impacts that could be achieved by 2030:
- CO2 emissions reduced by 50 kt per year, due to increased RES adoption
- New RES installations: 32.5 MW Solar PV, 15 MW onshore wind, 20 MW offshore wind, 2 MW tidal energy
- Local employment benefits: 10+ sustainable jobs in RES installation and maintenance in the next 20 years
Read more here.
Learn More about the PRISMI Methodology.
Contact
Antun Pfeifer
Technical transferring partner in the PRISMI PLUS project
