Prime Minister Joseph Muscat made no mention of completion dates for the new power station tonight. In a touch of irony, the Prime Minister was celebrating the closure of Marsa power station, on the same date that the new gas fired plant in Delimara was supposed to be in operation, according to the PL's pre-electoral pledges. 

The PM had pledged that the new power station would be up and running within 24 months of Labour taking office. That deadline has now passed. The buildup to the event, which was mostly aimed at giving workers a good send off and thanking them for their service, began at about 4pm this afternoon when the press were invited to come to the event. Yet the venue seemed anything but a hastily organised goodbye gathering.

Laser shows and organised seating for 60 guests featured in the setup. This setup also meant that  the press were not allowed to put forward questions during the event.

The Prime Minister and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi both gave speeches and thanked the workers for their committment in making sure that Malta has a steady flow of electricity. They also said that today is a good day for residents of Marsa and the south because they will be breathing cleaner air.

The Prime Minister said that Marsa will now go "on cold standby", meaning that it will retain the capability to generate electricity, but will only if there is an emergency at the Delimara Powerstation.  He said that the next step would be activating the interconnector cable to Sicily and then have a gas-fired power station built in Delimara.

“As I walked into the power station today, I was taken aback by the silence that dominated the place,” Dr Muscat said. “This is a historical event that marks the beginning of regeneration of the south, allowing it to gain back the prestige it lost over the past 60 years. It is also the next step for Malta to become European, and to generate environmental friendly energy. This is the moment all residents of the south deemed impossible.”

Dr Muscat said that despite the power station being subject to constant criticism, workers have conducted a miracle on a daily basis, and have carried out their work with a sense of pride and determination.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi recalled that back when he was 10 years of age, authorities had promised to shut down the Marsa power station, but 20 years down the line, it was still running. “From the first day in government, we were committed to ensure this finally happened,” Dr Mizzi said.

He explained that over the past weeks, Enemalta carried out tests to ensure that electricity can be generated without the Marsa power station. The test period was concluded a few days ago, and the power plant is now on cold standby. The process will be finalized once it is no longer on standby, and when the station starts being disassembled. “The government will now no longer discuss shutting down the power station, but rather how to use the location to regenerate the south harbour." he said.

“This is not the end, but rather the beginning of new developments in the energy sector. The power station may be switched off, but the capabilities and principles of the employees will live on,” Executive Chairman Frederick Azzopardi said.

Assistant Manager Spiru Grima explained how the power station served as home to cries, prayers and concerns of its employees. “We do not regret being part of it, we have done all we had to do, and in the best way possible. We have now brought this station to its final destination, but employees still have so many memories to share,” he said.

Joseph Zahra, who first set foot in the power station as an apprentice thirty years ago lauded his colleagues for always keeping up to security standards. He explained how years ago, a circuit breaker exploded, however no one was injured. “We have worked in conditions which are anything but pleasant – the noise, the heat, the responsibility. But working in such a power station meant we were part of a chain of employees ensuring electricity generation to our clients.”

Executive Director of Generation and Distribution Jonathan Scerri described the event as an upsetting moment for employees, while admitted that such change will ensure cleaner air and peace of mind for the residents of the south area.  He explained that on 15 February, Enemalta conducted the final trial and Unit 8 was switched off. “It is now the time for challenges and opportunities, but we will continue to put our clients at the core of our work, “ he said.

History of the plant

1935: First plans for a new power station to replace the Lascaris power station in Floriana proposed. They are soon shelved due to onset of World War II.

1949: The Maltese government acquires Marshall Aid Scheme funds for a new power station in Marsa.

1953:  On 5 December, the first three boiler and steam turbines, known as Marsa A Station are inaugurated.

1958: Two submarine cables are laid between Malta and Gozo to provide electricity to Gozo.

1960-1965: The A Station is extended with another two boilers.

1966: The Marsa B Station is commissioned with the boilers and two steam turbines. This new plant also includes desalination facilities to provide water to nearby towns, becoming one of the first power and water plants in the world.

1970: New distillers are installed to increase water productivity.

1982-1984: As electricity demand continues to rise, two coal fired boilers and an oil fired boiler are added.

1990: Final extension to power station.

1994: Marsa A Station is decommissioned.

1995: All coal-fired generating units at Marsa are converted to oil.

2015: Marsa Power Station is shut down and put on cold standby, ahead of its final decommissioning.