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Yesterday, in a Press Conference, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, appealed for a meeting with the MCESD to discuss the challenges in the energy sector.
In a Press Release that came moments after, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, explained that she has already met with the MCESD to discuss solutions, including the largest investments in electricity distribution in the country.
Dalli said that “The social partners were, are, and will continue to be updated on the investment being made in our country’s distribution system in meetings attended by technicians. This is because responsibility demands that we continue to invest in better infrastructure for today and the future, as this government is doing.”
During his Press Conference, Bernard Grech also mentioned compensation, and in the Government Press Release, it was explained that the compensation system that the MCESD helped design, will be re-implemented this summer.
Meanwhile, as explained by Miriam Dalli and the Enemalta management in a press briefing last Saturday, 82km of underground cables have already been laid this year, and 32 new substations have been installed. Work has also been carried out on 36 transformers in substations, and 22 switchgear units have been replaced in different substations. This is part of an intensive plan to build on the energy sector reforms of recent years.
In the first phase of this investment, work was carried out in the areas of Wied il-Għajn, Kalkara, Bormla, Birgu, Żurrieq, Ħal Safi, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Far, Ħad Dingli, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Ħal Luqa, Rabat, Mosta, and Naxxar in Malta. In Gozo, work was carried out in Qala, Sannat, Nadur, Xlendi, and part of Marsalforn.
In the second phase of the investment, which has already begun, work will be carried out from Marsa to Siġġiewi, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Ħaż-Żabbar, Ricasoli, San Ġwann, San Ġiljan, Gżira, Sliema, Ħ’Attard, Birkirkara, Ħamrun, Santa Venera, Fgura, Mellieħa, Buġibba, and Qawra in Malta. In Gozo, work will continue in Marsalforn and Xagħra, with reinforcement work in Għarb, Kerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz, and Rabat.
Between 2022 and 2023, 80 new substations were built, 18km of Medium Voltage Reinforcements were laid, 44 switchgear units were replaced, 22 transformers were upgraded, and 145 feeders were installed, among other works. This included the extension of distribution centers in Marsaskala, Imrieħel, and Ħal-Tarxien. As part of another phase of investment in distribution, new distribution centers will be built in Siġġiewi and Naxxar.
It was also explained that, there has also been a significant increase in energy generation from renewable sources, which now needs to be complemented by investment in Battery Energy Storage Systems.
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