Malta and Libya sign renewable energy interconnector preliminary agreement

The Governments of Malta and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a renewable energy interconnector between the two countries.

The agreement was signed following a bilateral meeting held between Prime Minister Robert Abela and Libya’s Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli.

In 2022, the Government of Malta also approved the building of a second interconnector between Malta and Sicily in order to improve the country's energy security.

During the meeting, the themes of energy, security, and economic cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

“Libya has a strong potential to generate renewable energy and in the context of this country's willingness to be a strategic partner with the European Union, it leads to Malta being ready to serve as a green energy centre connecting Europe with Africa,” said Dr Abela.

He recalled a meeting he held with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where the topic of renewable energy was discussed in the context of an agreement at the MED9 summit held in Malta this year, between the EU’s nine Mediterranean member states’ energy ministers.

The subject of improved commercial activity between Malta and Libya was also discussed, which could be enabled through an increase in direct flights and expansion of Maltese businesses in the country.

The subject of security was also discussed, primarily on the theme of migration, as well as political stability of Libya.

Dr Abela assured that he would make sure Libya remains at the top of the agenda in both the United Nations and the EU.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were, among others, Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Enterprise, Miriam Dalli and Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol.