Malta has an energy provision system that is sufficient for all the needs of today, Prime Minister Abela said on Thursday evening, but he continued that this does not mean that it is sufficient for the needs of the coming years in the context of a continuously growing economy.

“That is why we have made investments such as the second interconnector, in order to prepare the country for the next fifteen years,” Abela said.

He said that 82 kilometres of cables have been laid out as part of recent infrastructural works, and he added that subsequently none of them have failed. He referred to this system as a success, but that some areas in which the necessary infrastructural works have not been completed, such as Gzira, have had to deal with power cuts.

“We have invested €55 million in the first phase of the system’s strengthening.” Abela said, before continuing that he is confident in saying that there have been works done in the country’s distribution system over these past months which have never been done before.

The Prime Minister said that Gozo will be prioritised, including a new investment which will ensure that Gozo will have more resilience in the provision of electricity. He remarked that he is very proud of the work of Energy Minister Miriam Dalli and Enemalta Chairperson Ryan Fava.  “There is a clear plan, and that clear plan will continue to be implemented.”

On the matter of the drainage system, prompted by a question from interviewer Matthew Xuereb related to the situation in Balluta Bay and other areas of Malta, the Prime Minister said that “there is not a single overflow of our drainage system in the country”.

He said that situations such as what occurred in Balluta Bay are explained through the phenomena of algae blooming.

Abela said that the only overflow occurred in St George’s Bay, and he said that this was a fault originating from a private hotel, not the Water Services Corporation.

He said that the country’s drainage system is sufficient for today’s needs, but that he wants to think forward for the country in the coming years. With that in mind, he said that this year the Water Services Corporation launched an investment of €310 million, with which the water generation system will be strengthened, along with the drainage system, and the new water system.

 “Even though the drainage system is not overflowing, we are still investing ahead for the coming years,” the Prime Minister said.