Electricity demand in Malta has remained consistently high at between 680MW and 700MW over the past month, with consumption now staying close to peak levels for longer periods of the day than in previous summers, Enemalta said in a statement on Tuesday.

The company said that while electricity demand in previous years typically peaked between noon and 3pm, before rising again at around 7pm as people returned home from work, this summer has seen a marked change in consumption patterns.

Demand is now reaching high levels from around midday and remaining elevated until late in the evening, compared with previous summers when consumption tended to ease between 3pm and 7pm, the statement said.

The trend comes against a backdrop of sharply rising household electricity use.

Recent Eurostat data shows that electricity consumption by Maltese households increased by almost 66% between 2015 and 2024, the highest increase in the EU and well above the EU-wide rise of just over 3% during the same period.

In 2023, Malta recorded what was then an all-time peak electricity demand of 663MW. That record was surpassed last month when demand climbed to 741MW, almost 12% higher, it said.

With high temperatures continuing over the coming days, electricity demand is expected to remain elevated, Enemalta said.

The company encouraged customers, including commercial entities, to use electricity efficiently without compromising their comfort or health.

Enemalta said setting air-conditioning units at around 25°C provides effective cooling while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

It also advised consumers to keep doors and windows closed while using air-conditioning and to cool only the rooms that are actually being used.