Imselliet Solar Ltd, a ground-breaking 5.4 mega-watt peak solar power plant set in a disused quarry in Mgarr, was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister today.
The large-scale PV plant is a private green initiative by project partners AX Group, PX Company, and Solar Solutions – The Renewable Energy Co, following the successful deployment of several other small to medium-sized PV plants in Malta. The project is in line with the Malta Solar Farm Policy published in 2017, which encouraged the development of large-scale PV plants in industrial areas and reflects Malta’s commitment to reach national targets of energy generated from renewable sources.
“With ever-increasing environmental awareness tugging against the rising global demand for energy, the Imselliet Solar Farm is much more than just a renewable energy plant – it is a clear statement of the project partners’ commitment to make a positive contribution towards the environment and we are proud to see the seeds we have sown, germinate, and bloom,” explains Mr. David Zammit, Director, Imselliet Solar Ltd. “This is an historic milestone for Malta, as Imselliet is the first and largest ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plant connected to the national energy grid.”
Featuring 16,896 panels generating 8.65 million units of clean energy per year, the plant has the capacity to generate electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of 2,200 households. Beyond the formidable renewable energy resource the plant represents, the Imselliet Solar Farm also offers a range of other social and environmental benefits.
The disused quarry in Mgarr proved to be the ideal location for the PV plant due to the natural topography of the site that provides favourable wind direction and ventilation.
“The project partners oversaw the rehabilitation of the quarry, removing the negative environmental impactors such as the dust and trucks of the site’s past use, and creating something positive in its place of which we are all very proud,” continues Mr Zammit.
“We also studied the landscape carefully, ensuring the PV farm would not have a negative visual impact. Once the 3000 or so pine trees and around 250 olive trees grow within the site’s green embankments, it will be difficult to see the PV plant other than from an aerial view. In addition, in just a few months, we have already observed that the site’s abiotic and flora characteristics have created favourable conditions for fauna recolonization.”
The restoration and upgrade of the site will likewise contribute to the initiative’s other key objective: that of improving air quality. By reducing harmful carbon dioxide and methane emissions associated with electricity generation plants powered by fossil fuels, the Imselliet PV plant is expected to displace approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
“The environment we live in is a matter of critical importance and has a lasting impact on the quality of life of our community. Improvement of air quality is among the various environmental challenges Malta has been trying to address over the past decades,” concludes Mr Zammit. “We hope that our contribution in this field will be emulated in the years to come by the public and private sector alike, with a view towards preserving and protecting the environment for future generations.”
