Kyle Patrick Camilleri
Monday, 30 March 2026, 21:31
Last update: about 1 hour ago
Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged that by 2030, in four years’ time, a quarter of the country’s generated energy will derive from renewable sources.
During the Labour Party’s Freedom Day activity, on the eve of the public holiday, the Prime Minister said that over the next four years, work shall be done to boost Malta’s reliance on sustainable energy sources by further investing in solar and wind energy.
He added that the government will present a “holistic vision” for the country’s energy sector, for the next 25 years, “in the coming days.”
In addition, PM Abela stated that the time has also come to grant everyone access to renewable energy, including those whose property does not allow them the space to add such means onto their rooftops. This is part of the government’s plan to make 25% of Malta’s generated energy stem from clean sources, he said.
During this speech, he said that 13 years ago, less than 3% of the country’s energy mix came from renewable energy sources, and that this metric has since risen to some 17%. He continued that before 2013, the Maltese government used to invest in heavy fuel oil, rather than clean energy sources.
Abela said that through this long-term energy plan, Malta will better utilise the potential of its seas and distribute energy from north Africa to mainland Europe.
He said that through this long-term vision for the Maltese energy sector, “the people will see a government that safeguards it; one that looks to the future and protects its young ones.”
“The journey to this new freedom can only occur if people remain with us. We are living in times of great challenges, and I am ready to serve you through these tough times. The choice in front of the people is clear,” PM Abela said.
Regarding energy, the Prime Minister reiterated his government’s pledge that the State shall continue shouldering increasing energy prices, instead of letting families, industries, and businesses absorb these financial shocks themselves. He said that in other European countries, families abroad are going through tough times due to tighter financial climates. On this, he said that “our economy depends on how strong, resilient, stable, and protected our country will remain in the face of shocks coming from abroad.”
Referencing Malta’s Vision 2050, PM Abela stated that over the next 25 years, “our children will also benefit from the peace and stability we enjoy today.” He noted that while turmoil occurs abroad, big opportunities are sprouting locally.
During the Freedom Day event, the Prime Minister said that in these modern times of international instability, Malta’s economic freedom has resulted in “one of the strongest [economies] in Europe.” He observed that under his government, the largest budget in the history of the Maltese islands was committed last October, at €3.9 billion.
He said that “there is no other EU country with an employment rate as strong as ours,” nor one creating “this much work.” Abela labelled the Maltese economy as “the best economy in Europe” and the one with “the most jobs in Europe.” He added that much more is yet to come.
Prime Minister Abela mentioned that all the work has been done for the government to set up its first National Commission for Human Rights and Equality. He said that through this Commission, which will answer to Parliament, “we will protect individuals, to promote a society without prejudice.”
Throughout his Freedom Day speech, PM Abela referenced that the country’s acquired freedom 47 years prior is not limited to military freedom.
“Military freedom was the tool the country needed to build a modern society, to build a secular society, a welfare state, and all the industries we have in the country today,” he said.
He said that ex-Prime Minister Mintoff and our forefathers were wise to expel foreign military from the Maltese islands for good, especially as other countries that still have foreign bases have recently been bombed due to the warfare that has erupted in the Middle East in recent weeks.
Abela added that “our movement exists to combat prejudice and hatred in everyday life.” Here, he noted that Malta, year after year, continuously ranks first in country rankings pertaining to liberties and civil rights, and that “we will be doing more to spread more respect and equality to everyone.”
Abela stated that the parliamentary process has commenced for Malta to become among the first countries to enact a law that enshrines constitutional protection for persons with disabilities against abuse. This legislative process began earlier in the afternoon.
Another bill is also in the works for these people to secure bodily autonomy through the eyes of the law, with Abela saying that Cabinet had approved a law which will allow a living will.
Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister told viewers that “we’ve accomplished too much for those who criticise, but don’t have the competence to lead, to destroy all we’ve accomplished. We’ve accomplished too much to let austerity policies take over.” He said that there is still a lot to get done and that “there is no better shield than our progressive politics – built by our competent team that knows how to lead through challenging times.”