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VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government has identified two suitable sites for wind farms from the initial six in Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone. However, it did not say where the shortlisted sites are located due to further on-site studies are needed to reduce technical risks and uncertainties.
The wind vanes are expected to start turning in 2030 and the wind farm would generate 300 megawatts. By comparison, the interconnector between Malta and Sicily generates 200 megawatts, and the two LNG plants generate 200 and 150 megawatts.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli told parliament that preparatory work for a call for investment in offshore windfarms is underway.
After the identification of six sites in the National Policy for the Deployment of Offshore Renewable Energy, technical experts conducted further studies to determine their technical and economic viability with the least environmental impact. Various issues were factored in, including the suitability of the available technology on the basis of the depth of the sea.
The sites had been shortlisted and, after a call for tender, one would be used for wind energy. The results of geophysical studies would be attached to the call for tenders.
Last year six international companies in the offshore wind business have shown an interest in Malta’s offshore renewable energy policy. They were among 64 entities and individuals who submitted their views on the National Policy for the Development of Offshore Renewable Energy when it was open to the public for consultation.
Malta’s first-ever national policy for offshore renewable energy was announced in August last year, with plans to have the first wind or solar floating farms located between 12 and 25 nautical miles off Malta.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS)

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the voice of the Mediterranean needs to be heard loud and clear on how decisions are taken about irregular immigration. He was addressing a joint press conference by the leaders of nine European countries, following the Med9 summit which was held in Paphos, Cyprus.

He said that irregular immigration is one of the most urgent challenges for the Mediterranean and argued that there is no solution without the participation of all the countries in this region. “Every country in the region must play their part in tackling the crisis. Each country in the region MUST be given the tailored support they need to do just that. For our partners in North Africa and the Middle East to be able to do their part, we must also ensure that the resources needed are made available to them”.

Speaking about the conflict in the Middle East, Abela reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire. He added that Malta agrees that the EU is fully supporting Jordan, as the country is offering shelter to a number of refugees, who have fled their war-torn countries. The King of Jordan, Abdullah as well as the President of the European Commission Ursola Von Der Leyen also attended this meeting. In his speech the King described Jordan as an important strategic partner to bring stability to the region.

PM Abela referred to the solution of two states to pave the way towards peace, hope and dignity. “We stand ready to work with international partners to ensure that peace, security, and justice prevail in the Middle East. Our collective duty must move beyond words – we need action.”

Abela also condemned the Russian war in Ukraine and said that the sovereignty of the Ukraine is not negotiable.

The MED9 was founded 11 years ago on the initiative of the Cypriot Government and includes France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Croatia and Slovenia in an effort to work together and address regional challenges in the Mediterranean.

– Photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The first session of the G7 ministerial on Industry and Technological Innovation is underway in Rome, focusing on the digital development and the strengthening of value chains with Africa.

The main topics on the agenda for today’s session were the strengthening cooperation between the G7 countries and Africa to increasingly integrate AI into production processes, supporting business initiatives in the continent through the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, in line with the Italian presidency project within the principles of the Mattei Plan.

Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso presided over the proceedings who at the beginning thanked the participants for having contributed to creating “a concrete discussion, anchored in reality, which builds on the conclusions reached in Verona last March and the Leaders’ Declaration, in Borgo Egnazia”.

In recent months, the Italian Presidency of the G7 and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have advanced the project to launch the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a pioneering initiative that aims to strengthen local ecosystems of Artificial Intelligence in African countries in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, education, training, water and energy, in line with the “Mattei Plan” developed by the Italian Government.

Among the objectives of the Hub, the promotion of strategic partnerships aimed at stimulating innovation and strengthening local AI ecosystems to create new opportunities for industrial growth, technological progress and social development. “The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is part of the Mattei Plan, a priority of the Italian Government’s foreign policy. With this instrument we want to contribute to the achievement of development objectives, leveraging the private sector and interesting projects for the market”, declared Minister Urso.

The Hub will see the light in 2025, with a headquarters based in Italy and the participation of over 100 entities, including governments, international organizations and technology companies who have already expressed interest.

In addition to the G7 members, the UNDP and ITU organizations, the outreach countries Egypt, India, Kenya, Tunisia and the Netherlands took part in the session. Representatives of 4 African startups identified by Mimit and UNDP as part of the AI Hub activities also took part in the session: Nasrallah Hassan, Co-Founder Birrama (Ethiopia), Tonee Ndungu, CEO Kytabu (Kenya), Marouen Hammami, CTO IrWise (Tunisia) and Karim Beguir, CEO InstaDeep (Tunisia). Furthermore, representatives of some big national and multinational companies participated, presenting a proposed project to be brought together within the Hub: Julien Groues, Vice President of Amazon Web Services, Maximo Ibarra, CEO Engineering, and Farrukh Hussain, Investment Director Sony Group. At the end of the working session, Minister Urso signed a collaboration memorandum on the AI Hub with the UNDP, the International Telecommunications Union and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Malta Fiscal Advisory Council (MFAC) issued a stark warning to the Maltese government about the need for fiscal prudence and a strategic approach to energy subsidies.
In its assessment of the Half-Yearly Report for 2024, the council’s recommendations come at a critical time as Malta grapples with excessive deficit procedures initiated by the European Union and ahead of the 2025 Budget speech.
In its report, the MFAC reiterated its call for the Maltese government to devise an exit strategy for its fixed-energy-price policy.
This policy has cost Maltese taxpayers approximately €320 million annually. The council’s stance echoes similar appeals from the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.
The MFAC acknowledged that the energy subsidies have helped stabilise costs for consumers, however, it emphasised that they pose a significant strain on public finances and risk exacerbating the country’s fiscal deficit.
Moreover, the council pointed out that the current policy lacks incentives for energy conservation and efficiency improvements, running counter to Maltàs goal of achieving carbon neutrality and promoting a green transition.
The Maltese government expects to spend up to €160 million on energy subsidies in 2025, representing 0.7% of GDP. However, the MFAC insists that further reductions are necessary to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS).

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The green hydrogen sector is expected to generate around 300,000 direct jobs by 2030, representing 10% of the Kingdom’s employment needs. This was declared by the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Younes Sekkouri, following the opening of the 4th edition of the “World Power-to-X Summit” in Marrakech.
Sekkouri underlined that the development of the green hydrogen and renewable energy sector, in general, constitutes an important lever for the national economy, specifying that this sector is not only promising in terms of direct job creation, but offers also a strong potential for the creation of indirect and induced jobs. The Minister remarked that the investors have a crucial role to play in this process, explaining that investments are essential to achieve these ambitious objectives.
“The government is fully committed to supporting this dynamic, in particular by making one million hectares of land available for projects in this sector,” he said, while recalling that strategic partnerships with private actors will also be encouraged to maximize the impact of these investments.?The Minister also spoke about the new roadmap, which will be integrated into the next law and which will introduce specific measures aimed at promoting employment in the green hydrogen sector, explaining that these measures will include tax incentives, direct subsidies and initiatives to encourage innovation and research in this sector.?”The adaptation of the training offer is also a priority to ensure a qualified workforce, and that three high-level specialized training institutes are already operational, in Oujda, Ouarzazate and Tangier, to provide training to technicians and engineers in the field of renewable energy, especially solar, wind and energy efficiency,” he said.

– photo Map –
(ITALPRESS).

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The World Power-to-X Summit 2024 has officially opened in Marrakech, bringing together key policy makers, world-renowned experts and key opinion leaders in the green hydrogen sector. The event is co-organised by the Solar Energy and New Energy Research Institute (IRESEN), in collaboration with the Green H2 Cluster, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the Moroccan Energy Agency sustainable (MASEN).
In her opening speech, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali highlighted Morocco’s commitment to the development of green hydrogen as a key lever for the country’s low-carbon strategy and energy transition efforts.
She spoke about the recently published “Offre Maroc”, which provides visibility and an incentive framework for national and international investors to develop integrated green hydrogen projects in the country. “The development of green hydrogen as a decarbonization vector is fully in line with Morocco’s commitment to international climate efforts, but also with the continuity of efforts already underway for over a decade to achieve an energy transition,” the minister stated.
Benali encouraged the participants to seize the opportunities presented to collaborate on solutions that will accelerate progress towards a sustainable future powered by clean energy.
The two-day summit features a diverse programme of interactive activities, including side events, masterclasses, sector meetings and business-to-government (BtoG) and business-to-business (BtoB) meetings.
Panels and workshops led by renowned experts will offer in-depth analysis and valuable perspectives on strategic issues such as Power-to-X technologies, the integration of hydrogen into the energy mix and financing opportunities for large-scale international projects.
With a strong focus on research and close collaborations with the industrial sector, UM6P affirms its commitment to train a new generation of talent to shape the future of the African continent. The objective of the World Power-to-X Summit 2024 is to strengthen Morocco’s position as a global hub for green hydrogen, while creating strong synergies between industry players nationally and internationally.
-photo Map-
(ITALPRESS)

MARRAKECH (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Oscar-winning Danish director Thomas Vinterberg will preside over the jury of the 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled from 29 November to 7 December 2024. Its jury will award the Gold Star to one of the 14 first and second feature films in the international competition, dedicated to the recognition of world directors, the organizers explained in a press release.
“Presiding over the jury of the Marrakech International Film Festival is an immense privilege and an honor. In an ever-changing and increasingly divided world, festivals like the one in Marrakech open a precious window onto a wide variety of cultures. Films manage to describe the inexplicable, to make us understand the unacceptable. And right now there are many things we need to understand.” Since his debut on the world film scene with Festen (1998), which won him the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival when he was just 28, Thomas Vinterberg has become one of Europe’s most successful and celebrated filmmakers. Author of bold work that does not hesitate to question and expose the dark sides of the human being, Vinterberg manages to reinvent himself and surprise with each of his films. Born on May 19, 1969, Thomas Vinterberg lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the first Danish director nominated for an Oscar as best director for his film Drunk (2020). He subsequently won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a César and four European Film Awards for this successful drama, presented in the official selection of Cannes, then selected at the Toronto and San Sebastián festivals.
-photo Ipa Agency-
(ITALPRESS)

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – On 6 October 1924, Ines Viviani Donarelli announced the start of radio broadcasts in Italy. Today, 100 years later, Illalu Radio is born, the first Italian radio in Malta, with the aim of creating a cultural bridge between the two countries.
Illalu Radio broadcasts Italian, Maltese and international music, offering podcasts, live events and live broadcasts to engage audiences.
Among the programs scheduled: Sunset Groove (from 7pm to 10pm): chill out melodies to accompany your evenings, creating a relaxing atmosphere ideal for dinner or an aperitif at sunset.
Italian Aperitif (from 6pm to 8pm): a mix of light and rhythmic songs, from classics such as Ricchi e Poveri and Raffaella Carrà to contemporary hits by Jovanotti and Emma Muscat.
Boomer Generation: two hours of music covering the decades from the 60s to the 90s, with artists such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, U2 and Queen.
Illalu Radio wants to be a point of reference for lovers of Italian music and culture in Malta, combining tradition and innovation.
-photo screenshot Illaluradio.com –
(ITALPRESS)