Scepticism on energy plan timeframes 'understandable' - Muscat

Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this morning that scepticism expressed by some quarters on the timeframes for Labour's energy plan was understandable because the country had become accustomed to mediocrity.  Speaking at a PL business breakfast, Dr Muscat defended the timeframes however - including the commissioning of a new gas-fired power station within two years - saying that in the same way that the present government fast-tracked some permits and changed local plans, there would be political commitment for the timeframes to be observed. Dr Muscat announced that a new Labour government would have a minister responsible for energy. During the same activity, Labour candidate Konrad Mizzi, who unveiled the plan yesterday, said an international call for tender would be issued in April, followed by a month-long road show, and procurement would be completed in five months. Dr Muscat said that the present government's arrangements regarding the Special Purpose Vehicle to pay off some of Enemalta's debts would be respected. He also said that Labour would shortly be unveiling more energy proposals, including renewable energy. He said families would continue to be encouraged to invest...