Three major infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the electricity distribution network across several localities in Malta have been inaugurated in Naxxar, Siġġiewi and Msida, through a €40 million investment co-financed by European funds, the government said.

These projects, carried out by Enemalta, form part of the Government's investment programme to modernise and reinforce the national electricity network, making it more resilient, a statement said.

During the summer, Malta and Gozo experienced lengthy power cuts as the distribution network could not cope with the demand. The investment is seen as a way for the government to improve the distribution network.

In total, approximately 33,000 households and businesses across 11 localities are expected to benefit from these three projects through stronger infrastructure, increased distribution capacity and greater operational flexibility across the network, the government said.

The inauguration was attended by Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli, Minister for European Funds Keith Azzopardi Tanti, and Enemalta Executive Chairman Ryan Fava, together with representatives of the Naxxar, Siġġiewi and Msida local councils.

In Naxxar, a new distribution centre has been developed, equipped with two transformers and a total capacity of 60MVA. This investment will strengthen electricity supply for approximately 12,000 consumers in Naxxar, Għargħur and Burmarrad, while reducing pressure on the Mosta distribution centre.

In Siggiewi, a new distribution centre with a capacity of 60MVA has been constructed, together with approximately 70 kilometres of medium voltage cables. This project will strengthen electricity supply for around 12,000 consumers in Siġġiewi, Mqabba, Qrendi, Żebbuġ and Qormi.

In Msida, an investment has doubled the capacity of the existing distribution centre from 30MVA to 60MVA through the installation of two new transformers that replaced two transformers with a smaller capacity. This upgrade will improve the reliability of electricity supply to Mater Dei Hospital, the University of Malta and surrounding residential areas, the government said.

Minister Miriam Dalli said that these investments form part of ongoing efforts to ensure that Malta has a strong electricity system, both for today and for the future.

"When we speak about investment in electricity infrastructure, we are talking about an essential service on which our families and businesses depend. People want peace of mind knowing that they can rely on a dependable electricity supply. This is why we are continuing to make unprecedented investments to strengthen our country's electricity distribution system," Minister Dalli said.

"We know that demand for electricity is growing, and we also know that families and businesses expect a reliable service. That is why we are investing in infrastructure that provides greater capacity, flexibility and resilience. The three projects we are inaugurating today are a clear example of this work. These are investments that are preparing our country for tomorrow's needs," the Minister continued.

Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti highlighted that this investment, financed through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, demonstrates how European funds are being translated into stronger infrastructure and more reliable essential services for households and businesses.

"We are directing European funds towards our country's real needs. Investment in these three electricity distribution centres means strengthening a service on which families depend in their daily lives and businesses rely on for their operations. We want a stronger, more resilient network that responds to today's needs while preparing Malta for a future powered by cleaner energy," the Minister stated.

Enemalta Executive Chairman Ryan Fava explained that the inauguration of these three distribution centres represents an important milestone in the implementation of Enemalta's investment programme in the national electricity infrastructure.

"Through an investment of approximately €40 million in Naxxar, Siġġiewi and Msida, we are strengthening the capacity, flexibility and resilience of the distribution network to meet the ever-growing demand for electricity. These projects form part of a broader investment programme that Enemalta is implementing across Malta and Gozo, in line with its Nine-Year Plan. Our objective is to continue developing modern, robust and reliable infrastructure that not only addresses today's needs but is also prepared for future demand and developments in the energy sector. Through these continued investments, we are further strengthening our country's electricity system, making it more resilient and flexible for the benefit of households, businesses and the economic development of Malta and Gozo," Fava said.

These three projects build on Enemalta's ongoing investment programme across Malta and Gozo, which includes the development of new distribution centres, upgrades to existing facilities, new substations and the installation of kilometres of underground electricity cables, the statement said.

This work is aimed at increasing the system's capacity, reducing the risk of supply interruptions and providing greater operational flexibility so that, when faults occur, electricity can be restored in the shortest possible time.

These newly inaugurated distribution centres complement upgrades carried out at several other facilities, including Mrieħel, where capacity has been doubled, as well as Mosta, Kirkop, Buġibba, St Andrew's and Paceville.

In recent weeks, the procurement process was also launched for two new 33kV submarine electricity cables between Malta and Gozo, while a call was issued for the development of a new electricity distribution centre at Mater Dei Hospital.