Watch: ‘Work Must Be Done In Phases’ – Miriam Dalli Speaks Out On Power Cut Crisis
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli has pledged to upgrade the electricity distribution network of towns around Malta and Gozo which have been experiencing unplanned power cuts.
Interviewed on Andrew Azzopardi’s RTK103 show, Dalli said that the cable networks in towns that suffered hours-long power cuts last summer – including Dingli, Naxxar, Mosta, Żurrieq, Xgħajra and Kalkara – have been upgraded in recent months.
She said that while these localities aren’t experiencing power cuts this summer, other towns are, and that the next phase of Enemalta’s electricity distribution upgrade project will tackle them.
The network will be upgraded in areas such as Buġibba, St Paul’s Bay, St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Attard, Qormi, and Gozo, while new distribution centres will be built in Naxxar and Siġġiewi, and the Bugibba distribution centre will be expanded.
“I promised the biggest ever investment into electricity distribution, and €55 million has already been spent on improving the infrastructure,” she said. “However, you cannot carry out these works across the whole country at the same time. I wish it were possible but it must be done in phases.”
Dalli pointed out that several residents felt inconvenienced at the extensive trenching works over the past year.
“This means you cannot implement these works across the entire country at the same time. The first phase was focused on the localities where problems arose last year,” she said.
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