Enemalta lays 38 kilometres of new electricity cables

Enemalta has added 38 km of new underground cables to the national grid in less than three months as part of a major upgrade that will see more than 70 km of new 11-kilovolt cables laid to increase network resilience and flexibility, with more alternative connections between different network nodes in Malta and Gozo.

The additional connections reduce the risks of network disruptions, accordingly to the company, while facilitating quicker restoration times when such difficulties arise

The major upgrade follows long-lasting power cuts around the country last summer that saw households and businesses throw away defrosted food and led the Opposition to call for the Minister for Energy’ resignation at the time.

On Monday, Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli was accompanied by Mosta Mayor Chris Grech and Enemalta executive chairperson Ryan Fava as she met workers in Mosta.

She commended the over 100 workers involved in the project across Malta and Gozo, including employees and contractors of Enemalta, Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta, the three entities that joined forces to accelerate its implementation, with the support of the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works.

Cable laying works are in progress in several localities in Malta and Gozo, including Attard (Ta’ Qali), Birżebbuġa (Ħal Far), Għaxaq, Gudja, Kalkara, Luqa, Mosta, Mtarfa, Munxar (Xlendi), Nadur, Naxxar, Rabat (Malta), Xgħajra, Żabbar, and Żurrieq.

Enemalta completed similar works in Kirkop, Cospicua and Fgura earlier this year.

Minister Miriam Dalli explained that last year, the Government pledged to augment its 2024 investment in the country’s electricity infrastructure. “We want to make sure that our infrastructure continues to meet Malta’s present and future energy requirements.

“As last summer’s record temperatures have shown, this network reinforcement is also critical to bolster our climate resilience. More residential, commercial and industrial operations are moving towards electrification, while our communities are increasing their investments in grid-connected renewables. Our electricity infrastructure is the backbone of this transition.”

The Minister continued: “We will continue investing in the energy sector, with a stronger grid, new interconnections, innovative energy storage solutions and more renewable energy projects on land and offshore, as we maintain our strong commitment towards climate neutrality.”

Mr Fava explained that the ongoing cable laying works in Mosta and other localities form part of the company’s six-year network reinforcement plan launched in 2022. “Through this investment, during the first two months of the year, our network teams have already commissioned 10 new substations and upgraded another nine existing ones. We also energised 23 new 400/230V substation feeders, to continue improving the quality of our services in different parts of Malta and Gozo. Many other similar projects will be completed in coming months.”

Mr Fava continued: “The six-year plan also includes four new distribution centres in the limits of Naxxar, Siġġiewi, Cottonera and Rabat. Planning and procurement preparations for these new network nodes are in progress. Works to extend the Buġibba Distribution Centre are underway. Enemalta is also planning major upgrades in another two distribution centres.”