A disused quarry in Mgarr has been transformed into a large-scale photovoltaic plant capable of powering 2,200 local households in a green initiative which was officially inaugurated yesterday.

Imselliet Solar Ltd, a 5.4 mega-watt peak solar power plant, in line with the Malta Solar Farm Policy, is the result of a collaborative effort between the AX Group, PX Company, and Solar Solutions – The Renewable Energy Co. It aims to contribute towards Malta’s national renewable energy targets and features 16,896 panels, which generate 8.65 million units of clean energy per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 2,200 households. 

David Zammit, Director of Imselliet Solar Ltd said the project was 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.” He called Imselliet Solar Farm “an historic milestone for Malta”, being “the first and largest ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plant connected to the national energy grid.”

The disused quarry was chosen for the site’s natural topography, the project partners said in a statement. “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,” Mr Zammit continued. 

“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 upgrade of the site will also contribute to improving air quality by reducing harmful carbon dioxide and methane emissions associated with electricity generation plants powered by fossil fuels. Indeed, 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,” Mr Zammit asserted. “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.”