Enemalta to build new distribution centre in Mriehel

Enemalta will construct a new electricity distribution centre within the Mriehel Industrial Estate, so as to improve supply to residents and businesses in Birkirkara, Santa Venera and Mriehel.

The state energy company said in a statement that the 33kV distribution centre was built to pre-empt increased demand from several new major residential, industrial and commercial developments planned for the area in the next few years.

It said it is currently receiving offers for the turnkey construction of this new distribution centre, and that the centre will be equipped with transformers, 33kV and 11kV switchgear and other protection and control equipment.

Construction works are expected to begin later this year.

This development is the fifth new distribution centre Enemalta plans to add to its network by the end of 2017, with another three distribution centres at Manoel Island, Marsa and Xewkija in their final stages of development.

It added that the new St Andrew’s Distribution Centre at Pembroke has been energised and is currently undergoing final testing to be fully-commissioned shortly. With these developments, the number of distribution centres in the national electricity network managed and maintained by Enemalta will increase to 24.   

The new installations are part of a multi-million network reinforcement project to meet the country’s rising electricity demand, to reduce electricity supply disruptions, and to provide a quicker response to natural faults, accidental or storm damages and other network disturbances.    

The existing Santa Venera Distribution Centre, which currently distributes electricity to the Mriehel, Santa Venera and Qormi areas, is also being upgraded with new equipment as part of the reinforcement project.

Major upgrades to the Mellieha Distribution Centre are also underway.