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The Prime Minister visits the €47 million ‘living laboratory’ being built at ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ

A €47 million sustainability research and teaching complex is being developed at the University of Malta with EU co-financing.

Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the site of the Sustainable Living Complex, which will cover 27,000 square metres and serve as an academic centre designed as a testing ground for energy, water and other sustainable technologies.

The project will incorporate main buildings that will house the Faculty for the Built Environment, the Faculty of Education and their associated institutes and centres.

Prof. Alex Torpiano, who is leading the project, said the complex would include lecture rooms and laboratories. The underground area will house laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities such as a flight simulator, seismic simulation equipment and a wave tank.

The buildings will also have monitoring systems measuring energy generation and consumption, air quality, water use and recycling.

Abela described the complex as a “living laboratory”, saying its purpose went beyond energy efficiency.

“This project goes beyond energy efficiency and also focuses on the efficient use of water, waste and other resources,” he said.

The complex will be used to test photovoltaic systems such as solar panels and heat pumps, as well as systems for collecting and reusing grey water from showers, sinks and washing machines.

Abela said the project would improve the learning experience for students while helping Malta test technologies that could respond to challenges including climate change.

“It will create a quality learning experience and help the country continue to identify and invest in more efficient solutions that adapt to global and national realities,” he said.

Abela was accompanied by Education Minister Byron Camilleri, European Funds Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti, University rector Prof. Frank Bezzina and Pro-Rector Prof. Vincent Cassar.