New substations and electricity cables installed in Gozo

Enemalta has developed new substations and has increased connections in various localities through the installation of new underground cables, across kilometres of land. 

The company explained how in the coming weeks, after the Carnival celebrations, new 11-kilovolt cables will be laid in the Nadur area. Works for more new cable connections are also planned for other localities, including Xagħra and the Xlendi area, Munxar.

These new cables in Gozo form part of a national project which Enemalta launched last December, to ensure a more resilient electricity distribution system in Malta and Gozo by next summer. Such a project will include the laying of more than 70 kilometres of new 11-kilovolt cables.

Enemalta is developing new substations in various localities

With new cables, Enemalta will minimise the risk of difficulties in the distribution network which could lead to electricity supply interruptions, and if such emergencies occur, there will be enough alternative connections for the technical staff to restore the supply to customers in the shortest time possible.

This year, engineers and technical staff of Enemalta are planning to install and commission four new substations in different localities. They will also continue the additional cable installation and will install new 400V/230V aerial lines, allowing electricity to be distributed from various substations to the customers residing in the area.

The electricity infrastructure in Gozo has witnessed a substantial investment in the last 10 years. Just in the last three years alone, Enemalta has installed and commissioned 12 new substations and upgraded 11 more by using new equipment, such as higher capacity transformers and switchgear designed with more modern and secure technologies.

The company has also installed automation systems in 55 of its substations. This means that one-third of the substations in Gozo can be controlled from the Enemalta Network Control Room in Marsa, without requiring its engineers to attend on-site. Thus, whenever any difficulties arise, action can be taken in a much shorter time.

During the same three years, Enemalta has also commissioned more than 11 kilometres of new cables, which include 11-kilovolt cables that supply electricity from the distribution centres to the substations, as well as other cables that distribute electricity from the substations to the nearby streets.

Besides these underground cables, Enemalta’s staff has also installed or replaced around 14 kilometres of aerial lines in the streets of Gozo, that supply customers with electricity. Such length of new or replaced aerial lines amounts to double the length of the channel between the two islands.

In 2016, Enemalta invested in a new distribution centre in Xewkija, which drastically increased the security of supply in Gozo. Before such a project, Gozo depended solely on the Qala distribution centre, dating back to the 80s. Several 33-kilovolt cables were laid and commissioned between these two distribution centres, so that should there be any issue with one of these cables, there will be various alternative routes to continue supplying electricity in the island.

Enemalta also carried out reinforcement works in the main connection that provides electricity supply from Malta to Gozo. They replaced the last section of 33-kilovolt aerial lines that were installed on the large poles that could be seen in the Mellieħa area with underground cables, which are less susceptible to faults due to bad weather.