Updated | ARMS to begin accepting applications for temporary energy supply to boathouses

Enemalta will supply a temporary electricty service to owners of illegal boathouses

Boathouses at St Thomas' Bay
Boathouses at St Thomas' Bay

Enemalta has announced that it will supply a temporary electricity service to boathouse owners at St Thomas Bay, just one year after MEPA’s Environment Planning Tribunal slammed the energy company for making a request to build an electricity substation outside the development zone to service illegal boathouses in the area.

Enemalta’s billing company ARMS is currently accepting applications for a temporary electricity supply “with immediate effect and without any obligation or liability for compensation” in the case that any of the illegal structures are removed.

The temporary supply however does not grant applicants “any right or entitlement on the structure in question”.

The decision cements a new understanding between the owners of the illegal boathouses in both St Thomas and Armier bays, who will be guaranteed a steady supply of energy despite having occupied the public land without any permission.

But back in February 2013, the environment planning tribunal had turned down an appeal by Enemalta to renew a permit for a substation at St Thomas Bay.

The EPT in fact had said that the substation would be “built to supply electricity to its clients who built illegally and in outside-development zones”, adding that one of the fundamental principles of the Structure Plan, Malta’s planning guide, was that no buildings were allowed outside development zones except those related to agriculture.

Filed in 2010, the original application was refused in 2011 after MEPA said it was “unacceptable”, because “no further intensification to the area will be allowed” before an action plan for St Thomas Bay was yet finalised.

Enemalta insisted that the substation would serve a number of buildings with valid permits, which needed a reliable power supply. But MEPA said it had failed to locate any structure with a valid permit or a compliance certificate.

The tribunal pointed out that the area was dominated by beach rooms and boathouses, some of which were illegal. It said that one mistake – in this case granting a permit contrary to planning policies – should not be compounded by another.

Enemalta is also replacing old meters with smart meters for some 500 customers in the l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha area, which may include agricultural pump rooms, farms, residences, boathouses, commercial establishments and other buildings. Over 87% of electricity meters in Malta and Gozo have already been replaced with new smart meters.

At Armier, where the area is also populated by a shantytown of illegal boathouse owners, Enemalta is currently replacing over 100 old meters.

“Enemalta is engaged in an ongoing effort to curb electricity theft in all areas of Malta and Gozo,” a spokesperson for the company told MaltaToday.

“To further prevent the possibility of irregularities, Enemalta and ARMS Ltd will soon be giving customers in specific areas, including Armier, the option to apply for a temporary electricity supply in boathouses. Such supply would need to be periodically renewed. Enemalta will maintain the right to remove the electricity supply with immediate effect and without any obligation or liability for compensation or damages in the event that any authority orders the removal of the structure where it is installed.

“Enemalta and ARMS already offer similar services to customers who require a temporary electricity supply for a limited period of time.”

Applications open

Enemalta’s billing company ARMS has begun accepting applications for a temporary electricity supply “with immediate effect and without any obligation or liability for compensation” in the case that any of the illegal structures are removed.

The temporary supply however does not grant applicants “any right or entitlement on the structure in question”.

To apply for this service, customers are  to pay a €460 application fee and a €1,000 deposit on consumption, which will only be refunded when the temporary supply is terminated. Domestic electricity consumption tariffs will be charged. 

Customers would also need to apply for a renewal of service every year against payment of an additional €230 fee and settlement of all pending dues. If a service is not renewed, electricity supply will be immediately disconnected.

The company warned that anyone caught tampering with the electricity supply or providing the supply to third parties will have the service terminated immediately. It also said that applications from customers with oustanding debts on other utility accounts would not be accepted.

More information is available by calling on 8007 2222 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Applications can be downlaoded by visiting www.smartutilities.com.mt.