Enemalta plc is the only Maltese energy company. It provides energy services in the Maltese Islands and is entrusted with the distribution of electricity, and the development of the national electricity distribution network. It employs approximately 600 people.
Enemalta operates the emergency plants of the Delimara Power Station (444 MW, started up in 1992) and coordinates the dispatch of energy from the various plants. The Marsa power plant (267 MW, commissioning in 1966) was shut down in 2014 and totally demolished two years later. The Malta–Sicily interconnector links the island with the Italian electricity network with a capacity of 200 MW since April 2015.
A power plant in Floriana (1896 to 1960), a power plant in Corradino (1939 to 1992) and Station A in Marsa (1953 to 1993) were operated by Enemalta until their shutdown.
Since Malta does not have its own resources, Enemalta relies entirely on imported fuels. In 2006 the two power plants of the Enemalta produced 2261189 MWh and released 0.8782 kg CO2 for every kilowatt hour generated, A substation is going to be built in Naxxar at Triq San Luqa.[1]
Upon assuming office as Minister for Energy in 2013, Konrad Mizzi started implementing the Government''s energy plan with the primary aim of reducing utility tariffs. Previously utility tariffs in Malta were considered amongst the highest tariffs in Europe, and following the reductions utility tariffs become the fourth cheapest in the European Union.[2] This measure enabled the local industry to become more competitive.[3]
This saw the transformation of the energy in Malta, contrasting with the situation when Mizzi was given the responsibility when Enemalta was close to declare bankruptcy, with €840 million in debt and was consecutively downgraded by Standard & Poor''s. This affecting the credit ratings of the country at the time.[4][5][6]
The third pillar of the energy plan will also result in the closure of the Malta power plant which has been operating since 1969. The Marsa power plant has been shut down, on cold standby, pending the completion of the new gas fired power plant.[14] The local Opposition party criticised the Government of Malta that this plant has been shut down due to measures implemented by the previous Government and not due to the current Government''s plans. However, the current Government''s plan envisages the demolition of the 1992 Delimara Phase 1 Heavy Fuel Oil power plant.[15]
Demolishing the 1992 power plant, would be impossible to achieve without a new power plant due to N-1 requirements.[16] Over 700,000 tonnes CO2 were reduced by shutting down the Marsa power plant.[17] Statistics from the Eurostat confirmed that Malta experienced the highest reduction in emissions in all the European Union.[18][19]
The Gas power plant was officially opened in April 2017. The new power station was inaugurated minutes after the 25-year-old Delimara I power station was switched off. The old power station chimney, a 150 m structure in Malta was demolished in 2018.[23]
Questions have been raised regarding a number of agreements and arrangements made by Enemalta.
Investigations are being undertaken regarding Enemalta and the Možura Wind Farm project in Montenegro with accusations that 17 Black, a company secretly owned by Yorgen Fenech made €4.6 million profit in the acquisition by Enemalta of shares in Možura. The deal was first discussed by Enemalta in late 2014. After a board meeting on Enemalta in January 2015, a Seychelles company Cifidex entered into an agreement with the Spanish consortium licensed to run the 46 MW wind farm to buy the shares for 2.9 million euros.
The shares were acquired by Enemalta with 90% sold to a consortium of Shanghai Electric, Enemalta, Vestigo and Envision Energy for 10.3 million euros from Cifidex, which had completed their own purchase of the shares just two weeks earlier in December 2015 after Cifidex had been funded with 3m euro by 17 Black.[24][25][26]
A December 2014 visit by Joseph Muscat as Prime Minister, his chief of staff Keith Schembri and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi resulted in the signing of a memorandum to buy liquid natural gas (LNG) for 18 years from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic SOCAR as fuel for a new power station in Malta.[27]
ElectroGas Malta (EGM) which won the contract to build the €510 million project had Yorgen Fenech as a director and a shareholder, Tumas energy, headed by Yorgen Fenech, was also a shareholder. In 2015 EGM was granted sole rights to sell SOCAR gas to Malta. EGM is contracted to sell electricity and LNG to Enemalta for 18 years. The first batch of LNG was bought by EGM from SOCAR for $113 million and sold by them to Enemalta for $153 million, further deliveries generated similar profits.[28]
EGM took out a €450 million loan to finance the project, only secured following a €360 million state guarantee, in October 2017 Keith Schembri working with Yorgen Fenech got the government to extend the guarantee.[29]
About Malta electricity
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Malta electricity have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Malta electricity for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Malta electricity featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
