Key Indicators & Decisions (KI&Ds) – Malta – 2020

01.01

Definition of public buildings (according to article 9 b)

Buildings that are both owned by the government of Malta and occupied by authorities forming part of central or local government.

01.02

Definition of public buildings used by the public (according to article 13)

A definition backed by legislation is not in place. Public buildings used by the public are defined by the public authorities (responsible for the implementation of the EPBD) as those buildings which are occupied by authorities forming part of the central or regional governments, which are intended to receive members of the public (not government workers) and which are visited by such persons on a daily basis.

01.03

Number of residential buildings

Circa 153,000

This number relates to the number of houses used on a permanent basis. An additional number of dwellings are used on a temporary basis mainly as summer residences. This, together with the number of vacant properties, has been estimated at 72,000.

01.04

Number of non-residential buildings

203 hotels + 4,732 collective or individual accommodation

294 schools

7 hospitals with a bed capacity of 1,905

3,711 restaurants

18,000 m² of sport facilities

01.05

If possible, share of public buildings included in the number given in 01.04

Exact number is not known. The total floor area is estimated at 518,500 m².

01.06

If possible, share of commercial buildings included in the number given in 01.04

7,800 dwellings, 1,100 manufacturing, warehouse, retail, hotels and office buildings (development permits issued for construction or renovation)

01.07

Number of buildings constructed per year (estimate)

Circa 9,000-10,000

01.08

If possible, share of residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

80-85%

01.09

If possible, share of non-residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

15-20%

01.10

Useful floor area of buildings constructed per year in million square meters (estimate)

Not Known; data not divided between completely new, extensions of existing, renovation of existing and structural alterations to existing or change of use of existing or any combination of these

02.01

Are building codes set as overall value, primary energy, environment (CO₂), reference building or other

02.02

Requirements for energy performance of residential buildings in current building code

Mean primary energy balance of 85 kWh/m² year.

The requirement varies according to building typology with mean having been set at the cost-optimal level

02.03

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential commercial buildings in current building code

Primary energy balance ranging from 290-350 kWh/m² year according to building typology.

This has been set according to cost-optimal levels

02.04

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential public buildings in current building code

02.05

Is the performance level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for new buildings defined in national legislation?

The performance level is within a regulation supported by legislation, but legislation does not specify primary energy balance directly.

02.06

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for residential buildings (level for building code)

Mean requirement for primary energy balance is 75 kWh/m² year.

The requirement varies according to building typology

02.07

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for residential buildings (as indicated in 02.04)

2018 public buildings

2020 all other buildings

No difference between commercial and residential, but differentiation only by public or private as in directive

02.08

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for all non-residential buildings (level for building code)

Requirement for primary energy balance of 220 kWh/m² year

The only exception concerns dwellings

02.09

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for non-residential buildings (as indicated in 02.06)

02.10

Are nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) defined using a carbon or environment indicator?

No, the primary energy use is the main indicator. However, a carbon emission indicator is calculated in the methodology used to verify if the building is NZEB.

Given that practically all energy used in buildings in Malta has the same carbon generation (intensity), this value is not particularly relevant

02.11

Is renewable energy a part of the overall or an additional requirement?

Renewable energy contributes to reducing the primary energy balance.

However, all buildings are required to have a portion of the demand satisfied by renewable energy sources.

Buildings will benefit by having a larger contribution from RES, since they can satisfy the requirements more easily. Designers are given flexibility to invest in the most cost-effective measures

02.12

If renewable energy is an additional requirement to NZEB, please indicate level

Level of renewable energy is not set as a percentage in the current requirements.

02.13

Specific comfort criteria for new buildings, provide specific parameters for instance for airtightness, minimum ventilation rates

Overheating requirements with maximum glazing areas according to orientation and ability to factor in the effect of shading; water conservation requirements for all buildings; thermal transmittance requirements for all elements forming part of the building envelope

03.01

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings set in national legislation?

No. This level is set within documents forming part of regulations which are supported by legislation.

The levels are set in documents which have been issued and the issue has been made public by means of a government notice.

03.02

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings similar to the level for new buildings?

Existing buildings need to abide by minimum energy performance requirements, but there is no requirement for abiding to NZEB level at present.

The level set in minimum energy performance requirements are different from that for NZEB except for 2 building typologies.

03.03

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

NZEB levels have not been defined for existing buildings.

03.04

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing non-residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

NZEB level has not been set for existing levels

When buildings undergo renovations of a range that the renovated building may be considered a new building, NZEB requirements apply.

03.05

Overall minimum requirements in case of major-renovation

Buildings which have elements being replaced need to adhere to minimum energy performance requirements even if the renovation is not considered a major renovation.

E.g., all elements have a maximum U-value; glazing is limited according to orientation to limit overheating.

03.06

Minimum requirements for individual building parts in case of renovation

For Offices and mixed-use buildings where use includes Offices this is
350 kWh/m² year.

All dwellings 140 kWh/m² year

Renovations which affect a building by 25% or more of its volume before such an intervention, or where renovation of 25% or more of windows or roofs or external walls is made, or where renovation of 25% or more of any energy consuming installations for artificial lighting, or heating or cooling of air or water or space ventilation is made, or where a change-of-use permit is submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

03.07

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (number or percentage of buildings)

Renovation rate to reach 3.3% per annum during period 2025-2030

03.08

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (expected reductions and relevant years)

Reduction of 74% in energy use in the residential sector and reduction of 78% of energy demand in the non-residential sector

04.01

Number of energy performance certificates per year (for instance average or values for of 3-5 years)

9,700 for 2016

11,000 in 2017

17,600 issued in 2018

13,700 issued in 2019

Around 93% relate to dwellings & 7% relate to non-dwellings.

04.02

Number of EPCs since start of scheme

33,000

Same number of buildings since EPC is issued for building unit not whole building.

Approximately 31,000 for dwellings, rest are non-dwellings.

04.03

Number of EPCs for different building types

Approximately 6,000 dwellings
55,000 non-dwellings

Values are approximate due to mixed-use buildings.

04.04

Number of assessors

522 dwellings

173 other buildings

Some assessors are both for dwellings and non-dwellings.

04.05

Basic education requirements for assessors

Degree in architecture & civil, mechanical or electrical engineering

04.06

Additional training demands for assessors

Training course for assessors with examinations; the course has a total duration of 3 weeks, including the examination.

04.07

Quality assurance system

Quality assurance entrusted to Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, which carries out audits on a statistically significant sample on three levels

Quality assurance is carried out by taking a statistically significant sample from all EPCs issued on an annual basis. Three levels of quality control are carried out with the third level involving site visits, while the other levels involve data analysis on two different levels.

04.08

National database for EPCs

One central national database

04.09

Link to national information on EPCs / Database

https://epc.gov.mt/information-assessors?l=1

05.01

Is there a national definition of smart buildings?

No national definition in place at present

05.02

Are there current support systems for smart buildings?

No national definition in place at present

05.03

Are there currently specific requirements for technical building systems (for instance in building codes)?

Technical Document F part 2

Requirements for all technical building systems including space, heating, space heating, domestic hot water, ventilation and lighting

05.04

Are there current requirements for automatics (for instance in building codes)?

Technical Document F part 2

Requirements for control systems of technical building systems

05.05

Chosen option A or B for heating systems (inspection or other measures)

A, inspections

A inspections only

05.06

Number of heating inspections; reports per year (if option A)

4 inspections, covering 4 systems

05.07

Chosen option A or B for cooling systems (inspection or other measures)

05.08

Number of air-conditioning / cooling system inspections; reports per year (if option A)

67 inspections, covering 247 systems

05.09

Is there a national database for heating inspections?

One central national database

The database is maintained by the central government

05.10

Is there a national database for cooling / air-conditioning inspections?

One central national database

The database is maintained by the central government

05.11

Are inspection databases combined with EPC databases for registration of EPCs and inspection reports?

No, separate databases but controlled by same central government authority

05.12

Link to national information on Inspection / Database

Detailed information not available to the public