Association of Catering Establishments highlights loss of raw material and sales due to power cuts

The Association of Catering Establishments (ACE) expressed its concern on the impact recurring and drawn-out power outages from the past few days has had on the catering industry

“ACE is very concerned about the negative financial impact such power shortages are having on the catering industry. A negative financial impact caused by the loss of raw materials as well as abrupt loss of sales during peak season,” read the organisation’s statement.

“Many establishments in various localities have reported no power supply for whole day long stretches, which seriously cripples their daily sales and storage of refrigerated supplies. The fact ACE members are having to close for business and refuse bookings in peak July is unacceptable.”

The organisation listed a multitude of other challenges the industry is already facing besides the power cut, those being human resources issues and a "discriminatory" work regulation order, challenges and costs incurred by the introduction of the BCRS scheme, and the ongoing roadworks across the country disrupting day-to-day business.

Whilst ACE expressed its solidarity towards its members, it called on the Government and Enemalta to take prompt action and stressed the need for a clear energy strategy to avoid similar situations in the months and years ahead.

However, on Thursday 20th July, Enemalta’s CEO Jonathan Cardona said the company was not able to guarantee that there would not be more powercuts for the duration of the heatwave. He had explained that persistently elevated temperatures have uncovered defects in underground cables, triggering faults.