Energy Minister Miriam Dalli did not provide any guarantees that there will be no future power cuts when responding to questions by The Malta Independent, but said that the accelerated plan to reinforce the energy networks is designed to cater for extreme weather.
She said that there is a whole programme that can make the energy grid far more resilient. "When we speak about investment in distribution centres, new substations, reinforcement of the whole grid even with regards to cables, that is all part of a holistic plan to ascertain the strengthening of the network."
The minister referred to extreme weather conditions, such as those experienced by Malta last July when, during a 10-day heatwave, temperatures reached the 40 degrees Celsius mark.
Dalli discussed next year's budget measures during the press conference. She stated that in 2024, Enemalta plans to issue a call for offers for another energy distribution center in Siġġiewi. Meanwhile, a tender has already been issued for another energy distribution center in Naxxar, through an investment of €14 million.
Additionally, Dalli said that Enemalta is carrying out preparatory work for the extension of the Msida distribution centre and an upgrade in the St Andrews distribution centre to double its current capacity.
She further explained that in the coming weeks, a tender will be issued for a 132kV cable between Maghtab and the Mosta distribution centre. While this is in progress, Enemalta will invest in more sub stations, she said.
With an investment of €12 million in 2024, Enemalta will be renting a total of 60 megawatts from these sub stations 'in the event that we have a strong increase in demand, as we saw this summer, and in the event that at the same time something happens to one of our energy sources.'"
The minister said that in total €188 million will be invested in the energy sector, where the largest investment of €55 million will go in infrastructure, for the building of new substations and distribution centres.
Dalli continued that with an investment of €47 million next year, a battery energy storage system will be placed in Marsa. She said that the investment will replace the partly demolished former Marsa power Station and in Delimara, with a mass energy storage by on land batteries using advanced technology.
On water provision infrastructure, the minister said the government will be investing a total €313 million by 2030.
Dalli said that works are currently underway for the second interconnector, along with the development of offshore wind farms for the generation of renewable energy. Interconnect Malta has issued calls for designs and permits, paving the way for the issuance of a call for offers for on-land batteries next year.
When asked for an update on the one-time compensation for power cuts during the heatwave, the minister clarified that it is an ex-gratia payment. She said that individuals who did not receive the one-time payment automatically can still apply for it until 27 December.