​PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND PUBLIC CLEANLINESS Cleaning operations underway on Heavy Fuel Oil storage tanks at the former San Luċjan plant

The largest of 12 tanks at the San Luċjan plant is being emptied and cleaned

The largest of the 12 tanks at the San Luċjan plant, which were previously used for storing Heavy Fuel Oil, has been cleaned. It took around a month to empty and clean this biggest tank.

These tanks are situated in Qajjenza, Birżebbuġa, and this work is part of the Government's plan to transform the plant into the project known as is-Siċċa, a project that will place sustainability at its core.

The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness, Miriam Dalli, along with the Chairman of Petromal, James Camenzuli, and the Mayor of Birżebbuġa, Scott Camilleri, visited the works.

During the visit, it was explained that the work involves creating additional access points in the tanks to ensure proper air circulation. For health and safety reasons, the necessary air tests were carried out. As an added precaution, an extra ventilation system was installed. Once the tanks are emptied of liquid, workers can enter to clean the remaining material. This process is done manually, with workers wearing specialised protective clothing.

The collected material is packaged and stored in designated containers and prepared for export. It is exported in accordance with European Union environmental regulations to certified facilities within the EU.

"This is a meticulous and time-consuming process, as we must ensure full compliance with health and safety requirements as well as environmental standards. Once this process is completed, we will then move on to the next phase of the tanks-removal process," explained Minister Miriam Dalli.

Mr Camenzuli explained that after a tank is emptied of liquid, manual work continues to remove the sludge that has built up over the years. He noted that this work could only start once the appeal processes related to the awarding of the tank-cleaning contract were finished.