Living on a small island requires a sense of humour. Maltese are facing higher summer temperatures with unusual July temperatures of 37 degrees, with a real feel heat of 40 degrees, while the UV index is at an all-time high of 10 almost every day. Medical authorities tell us no matter where you are, make sure to apply some sunblock and wear a hat, when possible, to prevent against heat stress.

Last year's mid-July climate provided a record-breaking heatwave spiking at 42.7°C recorded on the 24th. As residents flock to the solace of air-conditioned havens, the electric grids are under immense strain, affecting both electricity generation and its distribution. Citizens here, think blackouts only happen in South Africa.

None more so than knowing how to cope during a major power outage unless you have in-house large batteries linked to roof mounted PVs. It is no consolation that citizens were promised by the minister prior to the 8th June MEP elections that sufficient new cables were dug in and we need not worry.

It is interesting to reflect how the polis were assured that the state utility has adequate power supply to meet emergencies (including doubling of consumer electric meters installed in new builds by ARMs Ltd). The power regulator was lately facing angry calls during two months of power cuts (some lasting for 35 hours). Enemalta released a statement assuring the country that all investments have been in line with regulations while condemning "propaganda spread by certain individuals". Sympathy messages are being sent to utility engineers and technicians for toiling during hot days to change burnt or defective cables. A desperate solution was to park container-sized diesel generators on Main Street arteries to feed clinics and households (all hired at breakneck speed costing €80,000 a day).

This is a third world country type solution used in some backward African or other war-torn countries. Prime Minister Robert Abela solemnly stated that Enemalta did not have enough time to do all the necessary work to amend this problem before the heat caught up to the island, despite the government's investment of €55m to improve the energy distribution system. Abela also shot down the Nationalist Party's proposed solution for the energy sector to be privatised (similar to the Mozura windfarm, a Chinese-owned BWSC plant and Electrogas). In his opinion, complete privatisation would ultimately lead to higher energy prices. Time will tell.

Power outages are just something we have to live with in Malta - and that includes deciding how much to stock in a home freezer. Luckily, every town and village has a grocer or supermarket - logistics being what they are on a small island, we can keep our stocks low. What's difficult to gauge is sudden power surges, which can really wreck your white goods, electronics et al - but that's why it is a silly season.

Try enjoy yourself without blaming the power regulator, by stocking up on popcorn, nachos and an ice-cold beer. Pray about removing incompetence and unsustainable living conditions for the sick, destitute and elderly. Outages can be a frustrating inconvenience as all appliances at home are subject to unannounced cutting and switching on power. May I suggest you start reading a good title such as When the lights go out. Readers get thoroughly involved in the story, savouring the gradually building suspense, trying to wrap their mind around the countless unanswered questions and deeply moved by the grief and desperation of the two main characters, until, that twist happens, the one at the very end, the one that spoils it all.

Any reader who suddenly suffers the inconvenience of a candle that burns out and has none to replace it adds to intense frustration. Political observers note a general lack of transparency and accountability, citing widespread lethargy and weak enforcement by the power regulator. The Chamber of Commerce laments that our horizon is murky, particularly for business leaders facing power cuts, apart from a dire shortage of skilled workers and a worsening profile as an exemplary domicile for multinationals. With hindsight, we reflect how little upgrades were carried out to the islands' power attributes (such as replacing underground cables and fixing of new sub-stations) during three years of a lean Covid period.

Again, MHRA is voicing that a policy of cheap mass tourism is now at breaking point. Some popular seaside towns are facing drainage overflows, slime at bays, laced with repeated power cuts. The business community wants to incentivise a shift away from labour-intensive activities to more value-added streams to augment quality of our offering and put less stress on our infrastructure caused by unsustainable population growth.

Hope springs eternal that the 2024/2025 Budget can break the mould of lethargy and apathy that has so far cocooned our spirits. We realize that little is planned to fight climate change, no serious de-carbonisation plans, no renewables infrastructure. Weak or no enforcement leads to lack of trust and a general feeling of disappointment among practitioners striving to attract FDI.

Naturally, poor planning at the most elementary levels (such as dismal Matsec exam results) are affecting many businesses and the population at large, including a drain on resources caused by an annual stampede exceeding three million visitors. Good governance has been openly replaced by blatant state procurement abuses.

This includes the issue of direct orders to state cronies and millions in wanton champagne parties to promote films. Vices have been camouflaged into virtues by exploiting to the hilt the slogan "make hay while the sun shines". Candle-light aficionados are facing the pressure of a fast life plagued by an aging population, low fertility rate, traffic congestions, thousands of low-wage third country nationals, property inflation and rising cost of living, while enduring regular power cuts temporary restored by ad hoc replacement of burnt cables in an overloaded grid.

Quo vadis renewables Malta?

George M. Mangion is a senior partner at PKF Malta

gmm@pkfmalta.com