Enemalta gradually restoring electricity following widespread power cut

Enemalta is working to restore electricity across affected localities after a widespread power cut disrupted supply on Thursday morning, with outages reported from around 8am.

In a statement published on social media, Enemalta confirmed that electricity has already been restored in several localities, with efforts ongoing to reconnect the remaining affected areas.

The company explained that the disruption followed the activation of an automatic protection system designed to safeguard Malta's electricity network.

The system automatically reduces electricity demand when necessary to prevent more widespread disruptions and protect infrastructure from potentially serious damage.

Enemalta noted that Malta is currently relying entirely on local electricity generation, as the Malta-Sicily Interconnector (IC1) has been temporarily switched off due to ongoing works in Sicily related to the second interconnector (IC2).

Following the activation of the protection system, Enemalta immediately brought additional standby generation plants online to increase electricity capacity and gradually restore supply.

The company said its technical teams are continuing to monitor the network closely to maintain grid stability as electricity is restored to the remaining affected areas.

Enemalta has not yet indicated when electricity supply is expected to be fully restored.

In June of this year, manufacturing of the high-voltage second Malta-Sicily interconnector cable had been completed at the Nexans’ facility in Charleston, USA.

This €300 million investment had been approved for ERDF funding under the priority “promoting a clean and just energy transition” and contributes directly to smart and stable energy systems. The project has been recognised as an “Operation of Strategic Importance” in the 2021–2027 Programme, with €261 million allocated in European funding.