Minister guarantees electricity supplies

JOSEP Juan Cardona, the Balearic minister of commerce, industry and energy, promised yesterday that he would guarantee electricity supplies in the islands. He also said that a Balearic Energy Institute would be set up and that the regulations governing the application of the law on commerce would be drawn up. Cardona was appearing before Parliament to explain what his department plans to achieve during this legislature and he announced that the energy policy is inspired in basic criteria of “quality, efficiency, sustainability and diversification.” One of the immediate objectives is to revise the master plan for energy, so that it covers the cable and gas pipe links with the Peninsula agreed between the Balearic and central governments last July. This will define three types of infrastructure: links with the Peninsula, energy production centres and the transport and distribution of energy. It will also define where they will be built, which is likely to be problematical as there have already been widespread protests at sites suggested so far. Cardona said that other objectives included plans for a more efficient use of energy and a decree on light pollution while his department will extend aid for the purchase of low consumption domestic appliances. He also spoke of promoting renewable energies through campaigns and awareness raising, as well as financial support and pilot projects.
Commenting on plans for the industrial sector, Cardona said that a new team of inspectors would be set up to guarantee safety at industrial installations. The Balearics has one of the worst records in Spain for accidents at work. The minister also said that his department would defend and support the small and medium sized businesses with an aid programme modernising shops.
He added that the government would respect the law on commerce approved during the last legislature and would develop the regulations governing its application. There will be more aid for modernising and improving municipal markets, and local crafts, he said.