‘Four nights in hell’:  Mensija residents complain over blackouts

The mother of a three-month-old baby said she is in "survival mode," a dog owner said he was “afraid” and a woman said the last three nights “were hell” as residents living in the Mensija area between St Julian’s and San Gwann continue suffering systemic blackouts.

Residents gathered on Thursday evening with local council representatives, Momentum and former PN MP Albert Buttigieg outside Mensija chapel, a stone's throw from the substation that caught fire on Tuesday causing a near constant power outage for the area.

Earlier in the day, Enemalta said workers had finished clearing the equipment from the damaged substation and generators deployed to maintain electricity supply will remain in place until a  “continuous power supply is assured”.

A Mensija resident holds up a sign asking for 'power to the people' as residents face another night without electricity. Photo: Jonathan Borg

In a meeting with the local council, Enemalta technical experts are assessing the damage and, once the necessary safety clearances are obtained, new equipment will be installed to get the substation working again “in the coming days”.

However, power cuts remain the order of the day for many residents in the area at high temperatures continue even after the record heatwave abated.

A 31-year-old mother, Tina Scicluna, told Times of Malta she had to move from relative to relative in search of a cool place for her three-month-old baby.

Holding her baby in one arm and a battery-powered in another hand, Scicluna said the past few days have been “a disaster”.

“He’s been crying non-stop in 35 degree heat at night. I’m giving him baths constantly,” she said.

Scicluna said she has now moved in with relatives to keep the baby in air-conditioning.

"I’m not even thinking of myself, I’m thinking of having electricity to boil his water and keep him cool. It's been survival mode this week".

Another mother said she was worried about her diabetic son whose insulin needs to remain refrigerated.

"I’m not asking for power to watch television, or even to have a fan or AC but to have a fridge to keep the insulin there," she said.

One woman said she has spent three nights without power and is bracing herself for another.

"This is going to be my fourth night without electricity, sleeping in hell,” she said.

Power in her property only returned for six hours on Wednesday evening but otherwise she said she has been living in a near-constant blackout since the early hours of Tuesday.

"I have two large dogs, I cannot go to a hotel or to family," she said adding that she has been sleeping outside as a way to try and stay cool.

"This is not on. We are desperate. My mental health is being effected" she said.

Former PN MP Albert Buttigieg was among those who addressed the residents in Mensija on Thursday evening. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Ray Mangion said that a generator has been installed right next to his house but, despite having power, he is still unable to sleep because of the noise.

"The house is shaking, it’s like being in a ship's engine room", he said.

"Me and my wife are both over 70, we do not deserve this.”

On Thursday evening, Enemalta said it was addressing a fault in parts of Birgu, Bormla, Żabbar, Żejtun, Fgura, Gudja, Għaxaq, Luqa, Paola, Santa Luċija and Tarxien. 

Areas in 11 towns experienced a power cut on Thursday evening.

In a statement earlier on Thursday, Enemalta Executive Chairperson Inġ. Ryan Fava said the unprecedented temperatures had driven electricity consumption to “never-before experienced levels”, placing extraordinary pressure on parts of the national distribution network.

“Enemalta had anticipated an increase in demand, and this was one of the reasons behind Enemalta’s ongoing nationwide network reinforcement programme,” Fava said.