Enemalta has launched a new corporate identity while outlining a nine-year national plan aimed at strengthening and modernising Malta and Gozo's electricity distribution system, following the power outages experienced during the summer of 2023.
The rebranding, unveiled under the slogan "Energy that moves you", was announced during a press conference at the Enemalta Magħtab Terminal Station in Naxxar. Enemalta executive chairman and CEO Ryan Fava said the new branding reflects the company's role as a provider of an essential service and the central importance of energy in everyday life.
Addressing the media, Fava gave an overview of the extensive works currently underway, explaining that the 2023 electricity distribution problems acted as a catalyst for accelerated investment. He said Enemalta has since overseen a wide range of projects aimed at upgrading and reinforcing the national distribution network.
Among the key projects, Fava said new distribution centres in Siġġiewi and Naxxar are well advanced and are expected to be completed by next June. These form part of a broader nine-year strategy that includes the construction of 12 new distribution centres across Malta, in areas such as Luqa, Mellieħa, Rabat and Pembroke. Additional centres will also be built to support strategic locations including the Malta Freeport and the airport.
The plan also includes major projects for Gozo, which Fava and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said will be given the same priority as Malta. A new 132kV electricity link between Malta and Gozo is currently in the planning stages, aimed at increasing capacity and improving security of supply for the island.
Speaking at the launch, Dalli said the strategy forms part of a wider government vision focused on long-term planning combined with immediate implementation. She described 2023 as a significant challenge for the country's energy sector, noting that heatwaves led to widespread power cuts. A National Audit Office report later found that the outages were partly due to underinvestment in Enemalta's high-voltage network over a decade.
"We accelerated the plan, increased investment and carried out more work in less time," Dalli said, adding that the results are already being felt. She stressed that the large-scale capital investment is being undertaken while households and businesses continue to benefit from stable energy prices, unlike in many other countries.
According to Enemalta, €90 million has been invested in strengthening the distribution system over the past two years, with a further €40 million allocated for new distribution centres expected to be completed by mid-year. The first phase of the reinforcement programme included the installation of 83 kilometres of new medium-voltage cables and upgrades to low-voltage networks, leading to a significant reduction in outage times. A second phase saw an additional 63 kilometres of underground cables laid across Malta and Gozo to boost capacity and resilience.
Fava said the nine-year plan is designed to prepare the electricity system for economic growth, rising demand and future challenges, while ensuring a more stable and reliable supply for families and businesses.