Post-2012, new developments in the local electricity generation sector played a crucial part in the reversal of the emissions trend for energy industries. Marsa Power Station was largely decommissioned (one operational unit remaining solely for emergency stand-by purposes still in place), investment was made in an interconnector with mainland Europe, thus allowing for the possibility to source electricity from the European grid, and the construction and bringing into operation of a gas-fired plant. These investments together have led to the drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that may be observed after 2012, coupled by significant improvements in the overall emissions intensity of indigenous electricity generation. It is to note that all existing public electricity generation plants mentioned here fall within the scope of the European Union's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and are subject to monitoring, reporting and emissions accounting obligations under the EU ETS. Historical CO emissions, electricity generated in Malta and electricity sources through the interconnector, since 2005 (the first year of implementation of the EU ETS) are shown in Figure 16. Furthermore, progress is being achieved with regards to sourcing of a share of local energy demand from renewable energy sources. The share of renewable energy in relation to gross final electricity consumption is estimated to have reached 6.6% by 2017.