Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542534
ENERGY policy is often dis- cussed in technical terms—mega- watts, cables, grids, forecasts. But for most people, energy stability is something far simpler. It is the re- assurance that the lights stay on. That the bill is predictable. That a business can plan, invest and keep people in work. That families are not asked to carry shocks they did not create. That is why energy stability re- mains one of this government's central priorities. This is not an ideology or a slogan but a respon- sibility towards the people. We made a clear decision that we would protect households and businesses from volatile energy prices while investing heavily in the systems that deliver electrici- ty across the country. These two goals are often presented as in- compatible. We were told that to invest, we had to raise prices. We were told that to modernise, peo- ple would have to pay more. We rejected that logic. Instead, we chose to act for the people. We kept prices stable and in- formed families of their savings as a result of our decision. In four years, we provided €1 billion in energy support; €250 million every year. This support will con- tinue next year as well, even while other countries are increasing burdens on households and en- terprises. The outcome is clear. Malta has the lowest electricity bill load in Europe. Eurostat figures show that we have the lowest electrici- ty prices based on the purchasing power standard. And this matters, because keeping bills stable pro- tects jobs. I hear this directly from businesses, small and large, who tell me that stable energy costs al- lowed them to keep investing and to keep people employed. The contrast across Europe is stark. An article published by the European Central Bank noted how sustained high energy prices are putting pressure on industries across the continent, hitting re- gions like southern Germany, the Ruhr and northern Italy particu- larly hard. In Ireland, electricity prices rose by over 12%. In Italy, fuel prices continue to climb— something Maltese families no- tice the moment they travel to Sicily by car. Others raised prices and allowed infrastructure to deteriorate. We did the opposite. We kept prices stable and invested, which reflects a choice to govern with people in mind. Energy stability, however, does not end with pricing. Stability depends on infrastructure that works today and is ready for to- morrow. That is why this past week we announced a nine-year- plan by Enemalta, which is also a key part of government's wider, long-term strategy to continue to make Malta future-proof. We are planning infrastructure with clarity and foresight to know which projects will be delivered and what impact they will have in the years to come. It is important to have this vision with a plan; with clear targets, timelines, de- liverables, and intended results. This is essential for a country that wants to move to the next lev- el—a country that continues to grow economically, attract quali- ty investment and where expecta- tions continue to rise. Much has already been said about supply, particularly the second interconnector and diver- sification of sources. That work continues at a strong pace. The second interconnector will be completed in a matter of months. A €300 million investment, nearly half nationally financed, that will further strengthen network sta- bility and create the conditions for increased investment in clean energy, including offshore renew- ables. But supply is only one part of the system. Distribution—the part people experience most direct- ly—has been a major focus for us in recent years. Electricity reaches Enemalta from multiple sources, but it is through the distribution network that it reaches people. The work carried out over the past two years is the strongest proof that our long-term plan is delivering. By 2035, Malta will have 41 dis- tribution centres, including 15 new ones. This year alone, three centres will be completed—two entirely new, and one fully rebuilt. Across Malta, 10 new distri- bution centres are planned in strategic locations. In Gozo, two new centres will be built—one in Kerċem and another in Għa- jnsielem. The latter will host a new 132kV cable forming an ad- ditional link between Malta and Gozo. This is a deliberate effort to strengthen resilience, modernise the network, and diversify distri- bution routes. The logic is familiar to us. Just as we strengthened Gozo's water independence with the reverse osmosis plant in Qala, we are now doing the same for electric- ity. Alongside this, extensive re- inforcement of the distribution system is underway across Gozo itself. These are among the largest capital projects currently under- way in the energy sector. They are being delivered successfully, and 2026 will be another year where this progress becomes even more visible. In our electoral manifesto, we committed to major investment in electricity distribution. After strengthening supply and remov- ing heavy fuel oil from the system, it was the natural next step. Then came the summer of 2023. Prolonged heatwaves placed un- precedented strain on the net- work. It was, without question, the most difficult summer of my political career. But that moment presented me with a choice—ac- cept limitations, or drive change. Together with my team we chose to work hard and deliver. We increased investment. We compressed timelines. We deliv- ered more in less time. And we did so while continuing to protect people from rising energy bills. The Opposition's response at the time was to suggest privatis- ing distribution. We took a dif- ferent path. We believed then and still do now that resilience, affordability and accountability are best safeguarded when such a critical service remains public and properly funded. In 2024 and 2025 alone, €90 million were invested in electric- ity distribution across the entire country. Tens of kilometres of new cables have already been laid, with more underway, targeted strategically. At the same time, major distri- bution centre projects are being completed. In Naxxar, Siġġiewi and Msida alone—three pro- jects to be ready this year—we are investing close to €40 mil- lion. In Msida, we are replacing everything, while in areas like St Andrews and Mosta, modern equipment was installed to sig- nificantly strengthen service and markedly increase capacity. All of this requires one thing above all else—a strong economy. You cannot finance infrastruc- ture at this scale without it. We are currently replacing all street lighting with more efficient systems. Within two years, the entire network will be upgraded, reducing energy consumption by around 60%. It is a practical pro- ject, but also a strong statement that government is leading by ex- ample. We will continue investing be- cause we want Malta to keep moving forward into higher-qual- ity industries, advanced manufac- turing, a tourism sector focused on quality, and an environmen- tal transition that is grounded in clean, green infrastructure. Ships plugging into shore-to-ship pow- er, cleaner ports, smarter grids— all of these require a resilient elec- tricity infrastructure. My focus and that of my min- istry and the teams across it, is singular—to deliver systems that work, and that keep on work- ing. The results are beginning to show. If 2025 showed us anything, it is that long-term decisions benefit us all. And the years ahead will see even more projects delivered. En- ergy stability is not an abstraction. It is a promise we intend to keep. 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JANUARY 2026 OPINION Miriam Dalli Energy minister Energy stability is a choice we make for the people The Naxxar centre forms part of Enemalta's wider programme to upgrade and expand distribu-tion facilities around Malta. (Photo: MEEC)