Malta Chamber Calls For Compensation Amidst Heatwave Blackouts
The first scorching summer heatwave for Malta has brought with it an unexpected and troubling issue: widespread power cuts that are leaving residents and businesses without electricity for extended periods.
As temperatures soar to as high as 40°C, localities across the country, including Naxxar, Mosta, Żebbuġ, Sliema, San Ġwann, Gżira, and Żurrieq, have experienced disruptions in their power supply, with some areas enduring multiple days without electricity.
Small businesses are among the hardest hit by these blackouts, as the Malta Chamber, a leading business lobby group, emphasises that they lack the resources to invest in backup systems, such as generators or energy storage connected to photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Restaurants, small-scale retailers, and department stores are particularly vulnerable, suffering extensive damages to their income, profitability, and overall well-being.
The Times of Malta reported that in response to the escalating crisis, the Malta Chamber has joined the calls for compensation for those affected by the power cuts. They express their “extreme worry” regarding the adequacy of the energy infrastructure to handle the current load and emphasise the heavy impact on businesses.
The chamber urges that all stakeholders come together to discuss and agree upon a form of compensation for the victims of these blackouts, echoing the appeal made by the Nationalist Party and Valletta Cultural Agency chairman, Jason Micallef.
While Enemalta, the country’s sole energy provider, claims to have a compensation scheme in place for damaged appliances, it falls short of addressing the full extent of the losses incurred by individuals and businesses during these prolonged blackouts.
The issue of power cuts is not new, and the Malta Chamber has consistently stressed the urgent need for substantial investment in the island’s network infrastructure.
They believe that a much larger sum than Enemalta’s €90 million investment announced in February 2022 is necessary to properly upgrade the distribution infrastructure and prevent these outages. The Chamber attributes the current situation to a lack of continuous and adequate upgrading over the years.
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli has acknowledged the severity of the problem and announced plans to access EU funds to bolster the government’s budget for the upgrading of power distribution centres.
However, resolving the issue will require a holistic approach that addresses not only infrastructure improvements but also the pressures stemming from population growth and the construction boom, which contribute to the strain on the energy system.
Enemalta, on its part, has attributed most of the power cuts to underground cable faults rather than an overload of the system. While the company has been working to rectify these issues, customers have expressed their frustrations as they wait on hold for extended periods when attempting to report outages and seek assistance.
In an effort to mitigate the effects of the power cuts, Enemalta dispatched a team of engineers and technicians to carry out emergency works on scattered faults in the electricity distribution system. Repairing underground cable faults requires significant effort, including fault location and trench digging before actual repairs can be carried out.
As the heatwave continues to impact Malta, it is essential for all relevant stakeholders to collaborate and find sustainable solutions to ensure uninterrupted and reliable energy supply throughout the year.
The wellbeing of both the public and the business community depends on immediate and comprehensive action to address the root causes of these power cuts and build a resilient energy infrastructure for the future.
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