Installations such as the Delimara Power Station are regulated through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permitting process under the Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) regulations.
This process adopts an integrated approach that takes into account the whole environmental performance of the operations, while requiring that the best available techniques are applied by the industry to minimise pollution. By applying the Industrial Emissions regulations, ERA ensures that emissions such as greenhouse gases, polluting substances, wastewater and waste from these industries are minimised.
In its assessment of this IPPC application, ERA is consulting with other national entities which have various remits related to a specific industry. In its discussions with these entities and the applicant, ERA ensures that all the information required to make a sound evaluation and decision on the permit is requested.
In order to honour its IPPC obligations, and as the national environment regulator in Malta, ERA shall be publishing the IPPC application for a thirty (30) day consultation window to give the public the opportunity to review and comment on the application.
It is pertinent to note that during this period, the authority shall be granting access to the application and related documents at its end to assess the IPPC permit application. This information will be made available on ERA’s website, at ERA’s front office and the local council of the localities in which the installation is proposed. Moreover, a public hearing will be carried out towards the end of the public consultation period.
At the end of the public consultation phase, ERA shall be taking account of submissions received from the public and addressing the issues raised in order to provide clarification to the public. The response to the public consultation shall also be published. Following conclusion of the public consultation, ERA shall continue the process of discussions with the operators in relation to the permit conditions which will form part of the IPPC permit. At the end of this discussion period, ERA Board will take a decision on the IPPC permit at another meeting held in public.
