Gozo Schools Lost 73% of Solar Output Over Decade, PN Alleges

The PN says Gozo schools lost an estimated 6.6 million kWh of clean electricity over more than a decade. PN candidate Mark Anthony Sammut made the claim at a press conference alongside fellow candidates Rebekah Borg and Eve Borg Bonello, framing the figures as evidence of systemic government failure in renewable energy management. Sammut said Gozo schools lost 73% of their clean-energy potential over more than ten years and received only 27% of the output they should have generated.

The PN says its figures derive from a parliamentary question response listing the size of solar installations at each school in kilowatts peak alongside actual annual generation recorded since each system was installed. The party used those inputs to calculate expected output and compare it against recorded production. These are PN-calculated estimates, not findings from an independent technical audit.

The per-school breakdown shows alleged losses at consistent and severe levels across Gozo. Għarb Primary, Xagħra Primary, and MCAST Gozo each recorded an alleged 92% loss of potential generation. Refalo Sixth Form was put at 73%, and San Lawrenz at 72%. Għajnsielem and Ninu Cremona each recorded 67%, Victoria Primary 63%, and Sannat Primary and Qala Primary 60% apiece. On the PN's figures, even the least-affected sites lost more than half of their projected solar output.

Sammut offered two specific explanations for the shortfall: that some systems were installed but never connected to the electricity grid, and that damage to other installations went unrepaired for years after faults were reported. He alleged that some panels were installed for publicity without ever being connected to the grid. Neither allegation has been independently verified.

Rebekah Borg used the press conference to defend the PN's separate proposal to cut household electricity bills by an average of 30%, which critics have questioned. She described the plan as "costed and responsible" and said the numbers stand up to scrutiny. "Certain people are saying the numbers do not add up, but these numbers do add up and we have explained how," she said.

The plan centres on removing meter rental charges and restructuring tariff bands, which Borg said would deliver €17 million in consumer savings. Eve Borg Bonello warned that Malta risks missing its 2030 environmental obligations, with pollution levels projected to exceed 2005 baselines despite EU emissions reduction targets. "The PN is not only offering a vision to reduce bills, but also a way to generate renewable energy sources," she said.

Sammut described the Gozo schools situation as "just the tip of the iceberg" and pledged that a future PN administration would ensure renewable energy investments were fully operational.