An investment of around €750,000 in new photovoltaic (PV) arrays at the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in Ċirkewwa and Pembroke was made, the government said.

This, it said, will lead to the generation of 1.8 million kWh of green energy per year; enough to meet the annual needs of roughly 415 families. 

The projects were showcased during a site visit by Energy Minister Miriam Dalli and Water Services Corporation (WSC) CEO Karl Cilia.

In Ċirkewwa, more than 440 panels were installed, producing 400,000 kWh a year-sufficient for about 90 homes. In Pembroke, about 1,680 panels will produce 1.4 million kWh a year, covering the needs of some 325 families, the government said.

The Ċirkewwa installation is already complete and operating, while the Pembroke array will be finished in the coming weeks.

Both projects are funded through the Corporation's Green Bonds; the first of their kind in Malta.

"We have made major advances in water services. In clean‑energy generation we are leading by example. By using its own infrastructure to generate renewable power, the Corporation is pushing forward its transition to a Net‑Zero‑Impact Utility while helping the country reach its climate‑action targets. These projects show that efficiency and sustainability can be woven into many initiatives for the benefit of families," Minister Miriam Dalli said.

WSC CEO Karl Cilia added that, "the Corporation remains fully committed to investing in renewable‑energy projects, one of the main pillars of our Green Bonds. The solar farms at Ċirkewwa and Pembroke testify to our dedication not only to providing customers with top‑quality water but also to staying at the forefront of sustainability."

In addition to the Ċirkewwa and Pembroke sites, the Corporation operates two other RO plants - one at Għar Lapsi and another at Ħondoq in Gozo, the latter being the newest and most advanced facility.

"Thanks to significant investments in recent years, output from the four RO plants has increased, so that desalinated water now accounts for 70 % of Malta's drinking‑water production, with the remaining 30 % coming from groundwater. Greater RO output and other upgrades have led to 30 % reductions in both chloride and chlorine levels in the nation's tap water," the government said.

"Malta's water has long been safe to drink, but these recent improvements mean tap‑water quality is now consistent across the country, and with improved taste."