New scheme for commercial renewable energy systems launched
The Energy Ministry has launched a new call-for-offers scheme aimed at accelerating the installation of commercial renewable energy systems, making over 40 megawatts of electricity generation capacity available under the 2025 Invitation to Bid (ITB). The scheme offers 20-year contracts with a premium payment per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for selected projects. It follows a record year in which 30MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity was signed for installation through previous rounds. For the first time, smaller-scale installations (under 40kW) can now be bundled together into bids for the 40–200kW category. This change is expected to benefit distributed rooftop solar projects that previously did not qualify for ITB support. (Maltatoday)
Ragusa Xpress Ferry Service Launches May 18 The long-awaited ferry service between Malta and Ragusa, Sicily, is set to begin operating on May 18. The Ragusa Xpress ferry will run on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, departing Valletta Cruise Port at 6:30 am and returning at 7 pm. The journey will take approximately two hours. Although the first trip is scheduled for May 17, it will be a goodwill gesture for underprivileged children, with commercial trips starting the next day. After repeated delays due to paperwork issues on the Italian side, the service is finally launching, providing a new sea connection between Malta and Sicily. The route was first speculated about in November 2022. (Times of Malta)
NGO Repubblika slams proposed judicial reform NGO Repubblika has voiced opposition to the government’s proposed constitutional reform introducing a “standards czar” to oversee judges and magistrates. Repubblika argues this undermines judicial independence and believes only the judiciary should monitor its own conduct. The reform also proposes raising the retirement age for judges and magistrates to 70, requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority to pass. Repubblika contends such a move has no place in a democracy. (The Malta Independent)
