Widespread power cuts across Malta
Extreme temperatures and record demand are putting pressure on the distribution network
Updated 8.25am
Thousands of people spent a sleepless night without power between Monday and Tuesday as faults on Enemalta's power grid left entire neighbourhoods across the country in the dark.
On Monday night the company said its technicians were doing their utmost to have the electricity supply restored as soon as possible in Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Żabbar, Attard, Balzan, Fgura, Naxxar, Pembroke, Gharghur, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Lija, Mellieħa, Msida, Naxxar, Pembroke, Pieta, St Paul’s Bay and Swieqi.
The list was not comprehensive, with localities such as Iklin not mentioned, despite facing a second night without power after a brief restoration of supply in the evening. Residents also reported a power cut in parts of Birkirkara.
Enemalta deployed generators to various localities and redirected supply through various sub-stations as its technicians struggled in sweltering temperatures to repair cable faults.
As of 8am on Tuesday, Enemalta was still reporting unplanned outages in Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Żabbar, Fgura, Kalkara, Naxxar and Tarxien.
Attempts to contact the company for comment were unsuccessful.
The power cuts were the subject of an emergency debate in parliament on Monday, with the Opposition insisting that the situation is a result of a lack of planning during Labour’s 13 years in government.
Ħamrun council minority leader Jean Carl Agius Ciscaldi said that for the third consecutive night, several residents were left without electricity.
"It is unacceptable that in 2026 we are still experiencing frequent power cuts, especially during this tremendous heat our country is experiencing," he said.
In two separate videos, PN leader Alex Borg said that both Dar Centrali in Pieta and his home in Balzan were without electricity on Tuesday night.
"Unfortunately, in our apartment, we have no generator, so we will spend another night without electricity.... this is the reality of each summer in Malta and Gozo."
Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said on Monday the situation was caused by extreme temperatures and record demand for electricity.
What was happening in Malta was similar to the situation which had left thousands without power in countries such as Germany, France and Italy a few weeks ago, she said, but the Maltese government was investing more than ever before in the distribution network to ensure that the system can be safe and resilient for the future.