Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520629
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2024 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION It has been five months of ongoing, hard work to deliver our customers with a reinforced electricity distri- bution network across the island. This is not our first project, nor it will be our last. Through our six- year plan, Enemalta is committed to consolidating Malta and Gozo's electricity distribution, thus im- proving the quality and reliability of our electricity services. Economic growth, climate change, increased electrification and the rapid development of many grid-connected renewables by households and businesses require a more resilient grid with greater capacity and flexibility. This means that over and above the ongo- ing investment in maintenance, Enemalta will continue to invest in its infrastructure with the projected investment set to almost quadru- ple with an estimated €55 million for 2024 alone. Enemalta, whilst working on its six-year action plan, launched a six-month accelerated plan in December to reinforce its distribu- tion network in collaboration with Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta. The project involves laying over 70km of new 11-kilovolt under- ground cables – four times the length of cables added to the network during the last two years. By doing so, Enemalta aims to min- imize the risk of any difficulties in the distribution network that could lead to electricity supply disrup- tions. In case of emergencies, there will be enough alternative con- nections available for the technical staff to restore the power supply to customers in the shortest time possible. New underground cables have been installed to connect various distribution centres and substations for creating a more reliable and adaptable network. The project was initiated immediately as soon as it was launched and presented to the media and the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. In some areas, the work is in the final stages, while in others, it has already been completed. In parallel to this project, Enemal- ta's engineers and technical teams have been hard at work with the annual installation of 45 new sub- stations, upgrading transformers in 20 substations and replacing switchgears in another 20 substa- tions. So far this year, 20 new sub- stations have been commissioned and another 20 substations have been upgraded by investing in new equipment. These included higher capacity transformers and switchgear designed with more modern and secure technologies. Enemalta has also installed automation systems in a third of its existing substations. The systems allow for a smoother and more efficient response activity whenever difficulties arise. Automation systems allows for the required action to be taken in a much shorter timeframe as the substations can be controlled from the Network Control Room in Mar- sa, eliminated the need for engi- neers to physically attend on site. Enemalta is currently working on the establishment of new distribu- tion centres and upgrading exist- ing ones. Earlier this year, Enemalta issued calls for tenders for the commissioning of two new distri- bution centres located in Naxxar and Siggiewi. The establishment of these new distribution centres will lead to an increase in the capacity and reliability of the electricity network, particularly for the areas nearby. The procurement processes for these new distribution centres are currently in advanced stages. Alongside the commissioning of these two new distribution centres, Enemalta has also issued a call for tenders for the upgrading of the 1998 Msida distribution centre with new switchgear, transformers and other equipment. The company also plans to increase the capacity of the St. Andrew's Distribution Centre and the extension of the Bugibba Distribution Centre with new switchgear panels. Enemalta is also planning other investments, including a new 132-kilovolt link between the Maghtab Interconnector Terminal and the Mosta Distribution Centre, to consolidate the principal con- nections between the Malta-Italy Interconnector and the local elec- tricity distribution network. These investments, both short and longer term, all contribute to strengthening Enemalta's electric- ity distribution network so that it can offer the best service to house- holds and businesses. Stronger electricity network