S.L. 545.43 Art. 33Mapping of areas necessary for national contributions towards the overall Union renewable energy target for 2030.

(1) Existing spatial planning documents and plans shall form the basis for the coordinated mapping for the deployment of renewable energy to identify the domestic potential and the available land surface that is necessary for the installation of renewable energy plants required in order to meet the national contribution towards the overall Union renewable energy target for 2030:

Provided that the relative related infrastructure, such as grid and storage facilities, including thermal storage shall be included in such mapping.

(2) The areas included in the coordinated mapping exercise referred to in sub-regulation (1), including the existing renewable energy plants and cooperation mechanisms shall be:

(a) commensurate with the estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity of renewable energy technology established in Malta’s national energy and climate plans; and

(b) periodically reviewed and, where necessary, updated in parallel with the updates of Malta’s national energy and climate plans.

(3) For the purposes of identifying the areas referred to in sub-regulation (1), the following in particular shall be taken into account:

(a) the availability of energy from renewable sources and the potential for renewable energy production of the different types of technology in the land surface areas;

(b) the projected demand for energy, whilst taking into account the potential flexibility of the active demand response, expected efficiency gains and energy system integration; and

(c) the availability of relevant energy infrastructure, including grids, storage and other flexibility tools or the potential to create or upgrade such grid infrastructure and storage.

(4) Renewable energy projects shall be compatible with the pre-existing uses of the areas referred to in sub-regulation (1), with multiple uses being favoured.

(5) All relevant authorities and local authorities, including network operators, shall contribute to the coordinated mapping exercise referred to in sub-regulation (1) and the subsequent updates thereof referred to in sub-regulation (2)(1)(b) as appropriate, within the extent of their functions as outlined in their legal remits:

Provided that sub-surface and sea or inland water areas may, where relevant, be considered for inclusion within such updates.