MCESD update: Enemalta lays over 70km of 11-kv cables, works underway

Enemalta has laid over 70km of cables, with works still underway for an accelerated distribution network reinforcement plan. This work by Malta’s energy distributor to reinforce the national grid is aimed at improving the quality and resilience of services which it provides to its residential and business customers.

This was announced during a meeting with the MCESD, during which Energy Minister Miriam Dalli and Enemalta executive chairman Ing. Ryan Fava updated the council members on the entity’s six-year action plan, which is now in its second year. Also present was Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul.

“We have pledged to keep the social partners updated on Enemalta’s distribution plans after discussing with them an accelerated investment plan. With the collaboration of Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta, Enemalta has laid over 70km of new cables in different localities, adding to the already existing network,” Minister Miriam Dalli said, as she thanked the workers for their hard work.

Minister Dalli emphasised that Enemalta’s plans were split between short-, medium-, and long-term projects to cater to immediate needs and to plan ahead. With an ever-growing knowledge-based economy, challenges brought about by climate change and expected investments in an innovative energy sector, a resilient network becomes all the more important.

“The government has diverted more local and EU funds towards achieving this aim. Even the fact that we have received concrete interest from local and international investors towards offshore renewable energy projects is a testament to the trust that this country enjoys and the work that we have been doing,” Minister Dalli stated.

This year alone, a total of €55 million are being channelled to the electricity generation and distribution infrastructure, three times the amount originally allocated in the six-year plan.

Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul highlighted that, “This meeting demonstrates how positively social dialogue works in Malta. At the request of Minister Miriam Dalli, the MCESD was convened to provide an update on the distribution of electricity. This shows how social dialogues should continue in Malta to achieve the best results and ensure social partners are kept informed about government operations. I am pleased to hear social partners praise the coordination between ministries and government entities. This is a testament to our commitment to effective social dialogue.”

Ing. Fava explained that reinforcing the grid with 70 kilometres of new 11-kilovolt underground cables created new alternative connections that will multiply the network’s resilience. This is almost four times more than the length of medium voltage cables in the last two years.

“Enemalta has not only achieved its goal but actually managed to lay a total 82 km of new cables. This is also possible thanks to the strong collaboration with Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta. We thank residents, communities and businesses for their continuous collaboration,” he said.

In the first six months of this year, Enemalta also commissioned 26 new substations and upgraded 24 others. 16 switchgear replacements were carried out.

Preparatory work is underway for two new distribution centres in Naxxar and Siġġiewi and the upgrading of the existing distribution centres in Msida, St. Andrew’s (Pembroke), and Buġibba. Preparations are also underway for other major projects that will be completed in the coming years, including a new 132-kilovolt link between the Magħtab Interconnector Terminal and the Mosta Distribution Centre to consolidate the principal connections between the Malta-Italy Interconnector and the local distribution network.

Ing. Fava also referred to the 60MW emergency plant on standby should one of the main generation sources be affected by an emergency situation.

The MCESD Chairperson, Perit David Xuereb, stressed the importance of keeping the social partners of the MCESD updated on the important work being done to strengthen the electrical distribution in our country, especially after the events experienced in July of last year. He explained how, for the third time, the responsible Minister, Miriam Dalli, and the Enemalta Executive Chair, Ing Ryan Fava, participated in the MCESD and provided such updates. Perit Xuereb lauded Minister Dalli for her cooperative approach, listening to, and seriously considering the suggestions and tangible recommendations given by the social partners. He stated that this assures transparency, accountability and collaboration.