146 New & Upgraded Substations Across Malta In 2 Years

Dec 12 2023

Enemalta invested in 146 new or upgraded substations in the last two years, as it prepares to augment its investment in the electricity distribution network in 2024, to continue improving the quality of electricity services across Malta and Gozo.

Minister for the Environment, Energy and Infrastructure Miriam Dalli discussed the implementation of this plan with Enemalta management and employees during a visit to the final works of another substation upgrade at Dingli. Through these works, Enemalta is doubling the capacity of one of the principal substations in this locality with a new transformer to increase network capacity and flexibility in the area.

Minister Miriam Dalli explained that Enemalta needs to keep accelerating its investments in the country’s electricity infrastructure to continue to meet the requirements of Malta’s economic and social development.

“Enemalta operates more than 1,650 substations to distribute electricity in all localities. Through the new and upgraded substations, we are increasing network capacity and introducing more efficient technologies, such as remote switching systems, which help Enemalta engineers and technicians respond to network emergencies quicker, without having to physically travel from one place to another to shift to alternative network connections. Along with investments in other parts of the national grid, these reinforcements will continue to improve electricity services to families and businesses,” Minister Miriam Dalli said.

The Minister reminded that this investment is continuing in the new year. “Last summer we promised that investment in the electricity infrastructure will double in 2024. We are going even further, as we allocated more than three times the investment originally planned, with a total of €55 million for Malta’s electricity generation and distribution systems.”

Enemalta Executive Chairperson Ing. Ryan Fava explained that 2024 will see the development of circa 45 more new substations, while another 40 will be upgraded with new switchgear panels and uprated transformers.

“We are also working hard to increase the 11-kilovolt cable connections between these substations, as well as the 400/230-volt feeders distributing electricity from substations to our customers. We want to have more of these connections, so that when difficulties arise, we will have more resources to help our customers without delay. This is why we are also joining forces with Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta to lay some 70 kilometres of 11-kilovolt cables in the next six months,” Ing. Fava said.

Enemalta is also planning other projects that will be implemented in coming years, including new distribution centres in Naxxar and Siggiewi, a rehaul of the Msida Distribution Centre and the upgrading of the St Andrew’s Distribution Centre in Pembroke. Preparatory works for these projects are already underway. A call for offers for the development of the Naxxar Distribution Centre was published last week.

Another important project is the new 132-kilovolt cable link between the Malta-Italy Interconnector’s terminal at Maghtab and the Mosta Distribution Centre. This investment will double the connections between the Interconnector and the local network, while paving the way for Interconnector 2, the second subsea connection with mainland Europe which is being developed by Interconnect Malta.

#MaltaDaily

PN File New Lawsuit Over Vitals-Steward

Dec 12 2023

The Nationalist Party has initiated legal action with the aim of compelling State Advocate Chris Soler to recover funds from Vitals and Steward, previously disbursed by the government, back into the public treasury.

The announcement follows the reveal during a fundraiser during which Opposition leader Bernard Grech stated that they will be once again going to court over the controversy.

In this lawsuit, filed today by Grech and former leader and current MP Adrian Delia, there is a specific demand for the State Advocate to retrieve the contested €400 million.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bernard Grech (@bernardgrechmt)

The government has disputed this amount, arguing that it encompasses payments made for staff salaries.

Grech emphasized the need for the State Advocate to act autonomously, independent of Robert Abela’s directives, asserting that the State Advocate is meant to represent the entire state, not just the interests of Abela.

On his part, Delia highlighted the recent Court of Appeal decision that revealed collusion between the government and Vitals-Steward in defrauding the nation and stressed the urgency of the situation.

He called for prompt judicial attention to the case, emphasising the need for political accountability, the restitution of the €400 million to the public, and the prosecution of those responsible for wrongdoing.

#MaltaDaily

Malta 9th Most Googled Travel Destination Of 2023

Dec 12 2023

As Google releases its Year in Search data, CN Traveller got an exclusive look at the travel section of the data and discovered that Malta was the 9th most googled travel destination for this year.

The data shows what users have Googled over the past 12 months, and shows that Malta, with its restaurants and history, is a favourite among those with a case of wander lust.

‘This island is a hit European destination. Its history runs deep, and its beauty runs deeper’, CN Traveller writes.

‘The country has been used as the backdrop for many iconic films and TV series (Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Troy to name a few), but beyond its honey-hued streets lies restaurants, bars and hotels waiting to be explored.’

Greece took 1st place, followed by Spain and Italy for the top 3 countries. Portugal and Croatia rounded off the top 5 respectively, followed by Cyprus in 6th, Thailand in 7th, Egypt in 8th and Morocco in 10th.

#MaltaDaily

Foundation For Affordable Housing Sets Up Investment Committee

Dec 12 2023

By means of a resolution of its Council of Administrators, the Foundation for Affordable Housing established its own investment committee. Under the oversight of the same Council, the investment committee’s aim is to administer the first major initiatives of the Foundation with a view to the organisation’s longterm growth.

Commenting on the setting up of the investment committee, the Foundation’s CEO Dr Jake Azzopardi described it as an important signal of good governance and transparency in the organisation’s financial management which shall be the cornerstone for the Foundation’s sustainable growth.

“This is part of the ethical business orientation that this organisation brings to the fore which should ensure lasting social impact,” he said. The Foundation for Affordable Housing was set up in January 2022 but only fully started operating in June of this year.

It has recently published a study with a comprehensive outlook of the issues of affordability. In the coming weeks it is expected to launch its first major product on the local market. CEO Jake Azzopardi will chair the committee composed of members who bring significant experience in the banking and financial sectors.

The Secretary to the Committee and Administrator is Mr Raymond Filletti, and the executive members are Mr Herald Bonnici, Mr Joseph Darmanin and Mr Roberto Buontempo.

#MaltaDaily