New 132kV underground link to boost capacity of the Mosta Distribution Centre by 25% marks most significant extension of Malta’s high-voltage network in recent years
Works are well underway on one of Enemalta’s most significant infrastructure investments in recent years – a new 132-kilovolt underground cable link connecting the Maghtab Interconnector Terminal to the Mosta Distribution Centre.
The project forms a critical part in consolidating and strengthening the principal connections between the Malta-Italy Interconnector and Malta’s local electricity distribution network.
Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, and Enemalta Executive Chairperson Ing. Ryan Fava visited the project site to observe progress firsthand.
The €6.5 million investment will introduce an additional 11 kilometres of high-voltage cable into Enemalta’s existing network, expanding overall transmission capacity and significantly improving the flexibility and redundancy of the national grid. Upon completion, the project will deliver an additional capacity of approximately 140MW from the interconnector into the Mosta distribution centre – representing a 25% increase in capacity for this DC.
This upgrade is a strategic reinforcement of the infrastructure underpinning Malta’s energy security. The new link will provide greater operational flexibility in how electricity is routed across the network, reduce vulnerability to single points of failure, and better accommodate the growing demands placed on the system.
The scale of this undertaking places it in a league of its own when compared to previous upgrades. The last time Enemalta extended its 132-kilovolt network was back in 2016, when a link of approximately 2 kilometres was laid between the Qormi and Marsa North Distribution Centres. The current project, spanning 11 kilometres, represents a fivefold increase in scope.
As Malta continues to develop its energy landscape – including through its interconnection with the European grid via the Malta-Italy Interconnector – investments of this nature are essential to ensuring the national network can reliably support both current needs and future growth.
“When you look at where Malta’s energy network stood a decade ago and where it stands today, the transformation is remarkable – but the work is far from over. The 132-kilovolt link we are building is one the most important investments we are doing. Without a transmission network that can handle increased loads, reroute power when needed, and absorb the pressures of a growing economy, none of the energy ambitions we have set for Malta would be achievable. This project provides the possibility of delivering significant capacity to the Mosta Distribution centre. We are not building for today’s demand but are also building for tomorrow,” Minister Miriam Dalli stated.
Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that this project reflects the work carried out and the prudent use of European funds to strengthen infrastructure that is essential for the country and to create firmer foundations for future economic and sustainable development. He explained that investments of this kind not only improve the efficiency and reliability of the electricity network but also provide greater stability for families and businesses: “thanks to the support of European funds, we are ensuring that our country’s electricity supply remains efficient and sustainable not only for the present, but also for the future.”
Ing. Ryan Fava stated that, “Eleven kilometres of high-voltage cable running underground across Malta is no small undertaking – in terms of engineering, logistics, or investment. What makes this project particularly significant is not just the scale, but what it actually changes about how we operate the network. Right now, the connections between the Malta-Italy Interconnector and our distribution system have limitations. This link removes a number of those constraints. It gives our network operators more flexibility in how they route power, more redundancy if something goes wrong, and more overall capacity at a time when demand on the grid is only going in one direction.”
Photo: MEEC/MFI
