Updated 5pm 

The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development will be meeting to discuss the continued power cuts impacting the country, following a request by the Malta Chamber. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday afternoon that he has asked the MCESD chairman to summon social partners to meet to discuss what he described as "the present climate challenges, energy and the ongoing and upcoming works to strengthen the electricity distribution system." 

The MCESD brings together representatives from government, key sectoral interest groups and leading trade unions. 

Abela's announcement made no reference to the Malta Chamber's request for an urgent MCESD meeting, made earlier in the day. 

The Chamber said it was "very worried about the current situation the country is in, particularly, though not only, about the nationwide power outages experienced continuously over the past days which have left businesses and the public in paralysis".

It asked the MCESD to convene, with urgency, a meeting among all stakeholders to discuss this situation "collectively as a nation".

"This current state of play cannot persist and worst of all repeat itself – the right decisions and timely investment need to be taken now.  

"This country needs to have a long-term economic and social vision that goes beyond the political spectrum."

Over the past few days, the Malta Chamber expressed concern over the way the country was being led.

"This goes beyond the power cuts... There is an urgent need to discuss the way that crucial issues impacting the nation as a whole are being handled.

"This can only be achieved through responsible dialogue with all social partners collectively. The business community is calling on the government to act now before it is too late."

Last week, the Malta Chamber slammed the government for what it said was lack of long-term planning that was negatively impacting Malta's economy and quality of life. 

Malta has been racked by power cuts since early last week, when a heatwave sent temperatures soaring and demand for electricity to new record highs. 

The power shortages have impacted tourism and businesses, caused blackouts at hospitals, led to water shortages and even prompted warnings about a possible shortage of staple items like milk.