A company owned by Bonnici Brothers has been awarded the tender by Enemalta to build a €37 million emergency power plant in Delimara.

UNEC Ltd. was one of the four companies which submitted a bid for the tender, the only Maltese firm to do so.

The other companies have until 15 April to file an objection.

UNEC Ltd is to construct the emergency diesel-powered facility in Delimara, commencing no later than July, and to manage its operations for a duration of two years, pending the establishment of a secondary undersea interconnector between Malta and Sicily.

The new plant, which can be used for a maximum of 500 hours a year, will consist of two containerized gasoil-fired generators located within the boundaries of the existing Delimara power station. The plant is expected to cost Enemalta €46 million over a period of 27 months.

The decision to invest in the new temporary plant was publicly announced by Energy Minister Miriam Dalli in November 2023.