The time frame for the LNG power plant is five to six years as opposed to the two years proposed by PL, according to the expert opinion of Miles A Seaman.

During a press conference held at PN Headquarters, Seaman gave a general summary on the risk and safety issues regarding the LNG energy plant proposed by the PL. Mr Seaman, who is not new to the Maltese islands, said that the LNG tanks proposed by the PL present a number of major hazard issues that were not taken into consideration in the proposal.

Safety cases are the first step in the process of engineering such terminals which take from nine to twelve months to be carried out. The location of the installation is one of the risks presented by the engineer, where he explained that if an LNG leak was to occur, the gas can present an effective flammable hazard for up to two kilometres in distance.

Another issue tackled by the Mr Seaman was the economical issue which arises from the small scale of the project. Engineer Miles Seaman explained that LNG plants are usually much larger and thus to incorporate such a system in a smaller scale would be more costly.

In conclusion after permission is issued for such a plant, the construction can take up to five years, said Seaman. He admitted that although not impossible, the project is very ambitious and in his opinion unrealistic.

Mr Seaman, who is an independent adviser and volunteered to give his opinion on the issue, said that according to his judgement, a pipeline solution is safer and more efficient than the terminal solution proposed.

Minister of Finance Tonio Fenech and PN Secretary General Paul Borg Olivier were also present for the press conference.