The Eco-Gozo concept : from a sustainable energy perspective

Abstract

The Eco Gozo 2015 Vision of the Ministry for Gozo aims at making the Island of Gozo eco-friendly, supporting a sustainable society, while improving the quality of life of citizens and reducing the Island’s carbon footprint [1]. This paper aims at addressing the Eco-Gozo Concept from a sustainable energy point of view. Gozo, being a small island that fully depends on the main Island of Malta for the provision of energy supplies and electricity, would have to become more self-sufficient in terms of renewable energy generation, thus reducing power transmission losses and its associated carbon emissions, and increasing the island’s autonomy and energy diversification. Studies showed that for the immediate future, there is a good potential for the use of solar and wind energy systems on the island. The use of bio-energy and alternative fuels for vehicles would increase energy options for transport fuel, and in the longer run, there might be possibilities for using wave energy for electricity production. The paper also shows significant savings that could be achieved by applying roof insulation to buildings. Although the paper has not exhaustively dealt with all energy saving, energy efficiency and renewable energy options, the results presented here should be useful to all entities who may be directly or indirectly involved in planning for the Eco-Gozo initiative, and may also support the formulation of sustainable action plans that would be necessary to achieve the full aims of the Eco-Island concept. This study also showed that the Island of Gozo could potentially even become a net exporter of green electricity.