Amidst growing concerns over climate change, Prime Minister Robert Abela has revealed a comprehensive climate action plan, announcing a significant increase in investment in Malta’s electricity distribution system. Addressing the Maltese Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) Prime Minister Robert Abela unveiled a series of concrete actions aimed at combating climate change and promoting a sustainable future for the country.

The cornerstone of the Prime Minister’s announcement was the immediate doubling of investment in the electricity distribution system. Acknowledging the urgent need to bolster the country’s energy infrastructure, Robert Abela explained that the government plans to invest €30 million next year, following an initial €15 million investment, to enhance the distribution system. The goal is to create a more robust grid that can accommodate renewable energy sources and withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Prime Minister Abela highlighted the country’s commitment to the environmental cause and showcased initiatives already in progress. He mentioned redirecting €40 million from the BREXIT Adjustment Fund towards the Recovery Plan, particularly the RePower EU chapter, dedicated to sustainable energy reforms. The Maltese Government’s approach has been recognised as one of the most environmentally sound in the European Union, with the approved funding increasing to almost €330 million, providing an additional €70 million to be channeled into vital energy reforms.

The actions outlined included investments in renewable energy for buildings, encouraging shorter timelines for implementation. Moreover, significant funds will be allocated to enhance the electric grid’s capacity to accommodate renewable energy sources efficiently. Plans to support energy efficiency improvements in both public and private buildings, such as schools and offices, are also in the works.

In light of recent extreme climatic events, Prime Minister Abela announced the hiring of Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana to develop a protocol for handling climate-induced pressures effectively. This protocol will establish mechanisms to respond more efficiently to climate challenges.

To further strengthen the country’s response to climate change, Prime Minister Abela announced the establishment of a specialised Authority against climate change. Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Enterprise, Miriam Dalli, explained that the Authority will focus on monitoring the impact of various activities on climate change and coordinating the necessary concrete actions.

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In a heart-wrenching incident that left the community in shock, the deaths of a mother and her son in Paola have been attributed to natural causes. The completion of the inquiry led by Magistrate Joe Mifsud revealed no suspicious circumstances surrounding their tragic demise.

The son and his mother passed away due to natural causes, bringing some relief to the grieving family and concerned residents.

The inquiry further unveiled a heartbreaking revelation – the interval between the two deaths was relatively short. Although not officially confirmed, it is believed that the son tragically succumbed to dehydration shortly before his mother’s demise. The profound loss of her child is suspected to have triggered a severe shock, which ultimately led to the mother’s passing soon after.

The Police made the grim discovery of the two lifeless bodies last Tuesday, leaving the community in mourning. The tragedy had unfolded over a span of approximately two days before they were found.

Among those who offered their condolences and paid tribute to the memory of the departed were prominent figures in the community, including Mayor of Paola, Domnic Grima. He expressed his profound sorrow and sympathy to the bereaved family, acknowledging that life can be extraordinarily harsh in situations like this.

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Malta’s energy provider, Enemalta, is pulling out all the stops to restore stability to the grid after a relentless heatwave wreaked havoc on its network. With the scorching temperatures finally abating, repair works have gained momentum, and the company is optimistic about re-establishing a resilient power supply in record time.

As the mercury dipped and cooler temperatures prevailed on Wednesday, Enemalta reported a decrease in the number of faults plaguing their new high-voltage underground cables. This welcomed relief facilitated improved response times, bringing a glimmer of hope to affected customers.

However, Enemalta recognises that some areas might still experience longer restoration times, particularly if multiple faults or similar difficulties persist. The company continues to bolster its technical teams to expedite ongoing repairs and minimise inconvenience.

A separate operation on Wednesday night saw Enemalta engineers and technicians replace a damaged substation transformer in Qormi.

In light of the relentless challenges faced during the past ten days, engIneer Ryan Fava, Chairman of Enemalta, expressed gratitude towards the employees for their unwavering dedication and cooperation in assisting customers. He acknowledged the collective efforts of technical and non-technical teams, united in their commitment to complete extensive works.

Fava emphasised that Enemalta’s pursuit of network resilience will continue in the days ahead, aiming to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible. The company encourages customers experiencing difficulties to reach out to their customer care team or the Servizz.Gov Helpline for assistance.

To keep customers informed about ongoing faults and repairs, Enemalta utilises its SMS notification service. By subscribing to this service, the public can stay updated on the progress of repairs affecting their electricity supply.

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