Prime Minister Apologises for Widespread Power Cuts, Cites Old Infrastructure

21 July 2026, 16:01 · Updated 22 July 2026, 16:03

Prime Minister Robert Abela has issued an apology for the persistent electricity blackouts affecting various localities across Malta and Gozo. Speaking earlier today, the Prime Minister stated that the root of the problem lies within older parts of the distribution system that have not yet been modernised. He confirmed that relevant entities have been instructed to accelerate their upgrade work.

The apology comes as the Maltese islands endure a severe heatwave, leading to record-breaking electricity demand. This surge in demand has put immense pressure on the national grid, resulting in widespread and prolonged power interruptions.

In response to the outages, several community initiatives have emerged. A shop in Naxxar, for instance, is offering free emergency charging for essential devices, a service also provided by another local company. These efforts aim to assist vulnerable residents and those in urgent need of power for their electronics.

The heatwave's impact extends beyond electricity supply. Animal welfare organisations have called for an immediate ban on working horses when temperatures reach 30°C, arguing that forcing them to work in such extreme heat constitutes animal cruelty. Additionally, a cat shelter has reported being without power for over 17 hours, warning that the high temperatures could be fatal for sick felines under their care.

Temperatures inside parked cars have also been observed reaching as high as 53°C, underscoring the severity of the heat gripping the islands.

Enemalta has reminded customers that its 24-hour helpline, 153, remains operational. Crews are reportedly working continuously to restore power following a series of cable faults. The company emphasised its commitment to restoring electricity to affected households as quickly and safely as possible.

New power outages have been reported across several central and harbour-area localities, including Valletta, Floriana, Gżira, Ħamrun, Marsa, Msida, Pietà, Santa Venera, Ta’ Xbiex, Birgu, and Kalkara. Enemalta's live outage map indicates these are high-voltage incidents.

In response to the ongoing situation, Opposition MP Alex Borg has demanded compensation for residents and businesses affected by the persistent power cuts. Meanwhile, Minister Miriam Dalli defended the government's efforts, stating that no previous administration has invested as heavily in the power grid as the current one, and affirmed her commitment to continue working on the issue.

The Nationalist Party (PN) has intensified its criticism, asserting that the crisis stems from the government's failure to plan adequately. The party stated that this is not the first summer experiencing widespread blackouts and that the public is suffering from governmental inefficiency. The PN emphasised that Maltese and Gozitans have a right to receive answers and effective solutions to the recurring power supply issues.

Public frustration continues to mount, with many expressing anger over the frequent power cuts and criticising the reporting by certain media outlets regarding the situation.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has issued an "unconditional apology" for the recent widespread power cuts affecting Malta and Gozo. This comes as a prolonged summer heatwave has once again led to significant disruptions across the islands.

In response to the outages, the Malta Chamber of Commerce released a strong statement, criticising the electricity grid failures as "entirely predictable". The Chamber highlighted that despite years of investment, the infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the growing demand for electricity. They warned that the recent disruptions have significantly impacted businesses and daily life.