---
title: "Prime Minister Orders Acceleration of Power Grid Works Amid Criticism"
date: 2026-07-26T11:01:18.799+00:00
updated: 2026-07-27T20:07:50.659+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Economy", "Environment", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-26/prime-minister-orders-acceleration-power-grid-works-amid-criticism
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Prime Minister Orders Acceleration of Power Grid Works Amid Criticism

## In brief

- Prime Minister Robert Abela has instructed Energy Minister Miriam Dalli to speed up work on Malta's electricity distribution network.
- Mr Abela acknowledged the public's frustration over recent power cuts, stating they have "every right" to feel aggrieved.
- The Maltese Herald criticised Minister Dalli and Enemalta for their silence on the ongoing power supply issues.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has ordered Energy Minister Miriam Dalli to "accelerate" efforts on Malta's electricity distribution network. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Abela stated that the public has "every right" to feel aggrieved by the recent widespread power cuts across the islands.

Earlier, Fil-Qosor reported on [calls for climate-resilient buildings](/article/2026-07-26/faa-calls-for-climate-resilient-buildings-enemalta-engineer-confirms-24-7) and the [Nationalist Party's criticism](/article/2026-07-26/nationalist-party-power-cuts-damaging-tourism-unplanned-growth) regarding the impact of power outages on tourism.

Mr Abela admitted that an "increased electrical load" on the cables contributed to their overheating, a situation exacerbated by record summer temperatures.

In contrast to the Prime Minister's statements, The Maltese Herald criticised Minister Dalli and Enemalta for their lack of official communication regarding the power cuts. The outlet noted a "total silence" from the Minister and the energy provider over recent weeks.

Momentum has criticised Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela, stating that his attempt to downplay the impact of recent nationwide power cuts shows a government that reacts rather than plans.

Adding to the criticism, Roderick Galdes, a former Labour housing minister, used social media to support those questioning the government's response to the electricity crisis. Mr Galdes argued that infrastructure planning in Malta is "a necessity, not a choice."

Prime Minister Robert Abela has once again instructed Enemalta officials to significantly accelerate works on the island's power distribution network. He highlighted that €160 million has already been spent over the past three years to improve Malta's power grid.

The political party Momentum has voiced its criticism of the government's handling of the recent widespread power cuts. Momentum stated that the government's actions to address the electricity distribution network issues have been inadequate, calling for more decisive measures.

Separately, The Malta Independent published a commentary piece titled "‘Your dream, our project’… Until the lights go out," which reflected the growing public frustration and disappointment over the recurring outages.

## The Spin Room

**Medium media divide.** TVM News reported on the political party Momentum's criticism of the government's handling of power cuts. The Malta Independent published a commentary piece that highlighted public frustration with the ongoing electricity outages.

- **The Malta Independent:** Published a commentary reflecting public frustration and disappointment over the recurring power cuts.
- **TVM News:** Reported on the political party Momentum's criticism of the government's response to the power cuts.

## Updates

- **2026-07-26:** Updated with criticism from Momentum and a former Labour minister regarding the government's handling of the power crisis, alongside the Prime Minister's reiteration of the need to accelerate grid works.
- **2026-07-26:** Updated with criticism from the political party Momentum and further public commentary regarding the ongoing power cuts.
- **2026-07-27:** Updated with further details on the public impact of the power cuts and expert commentary on contributing factors like building design.

## Sources (18, 8 outlets)

- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/momentum-urges-government-to-stop-making-excuses-over-power-cuts/)
- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/coolingsystem-sales-soar-amid-heatwave-blackouts.1131918)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/143456/enemalta_workers_are_not_the_problem_pn_says)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/abela-orders-miriam-dalli-to-accelerate-power-grid-works/)
- [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/07/26/skont-il-gvern-il-qtugh-tad-dawl-huwa-kagun-tal-air-conditioners/)
- [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/momentum-criticises-government-on-power-cuts/ "Momentum criticises Government on power cuts")
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/roderick-galdes-backs-criticism-of-governments-handling-of-power-crisis/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/architect-blames-outdated-construction-practices-for-power-cuts/)
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/07/26/prime-minister-says-increased-electric-load-heated-up-cables/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-07-26/local-news/Your-dream-our-project-Until-the-lights-go-out-6736291656)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/143432/power_cuts_expose_planning_failure_former_era_ceo)
- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-politics/watch-speed-up-power-grid-works-significantly-as-of-this-week-abela-tells-enemalta/)
- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/zero-sei-trattoria-romana-owner-speaks-wave-hate-comments.1131947)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/143451/abela_pledges_further_grid_investment_after_unjust_outages)
- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/abela-tells-enemalta-speed-power-grid-works.1131930)
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/07/26/no-official-statement-by-enemalta-and-the-minister-of-energy/)
- [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/07/26/iwahhal-fir-rata-li-biha-qed-jahdmu-l-enemalta/)
- [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/07/26/robert-abela-jipprova-jwahhal-fl-enemalta-biex-ifarfar-ir-responsabbiltaha-tal-gvern-tieghu-il-pn/)

## More stories

- [Malta Chamber Calls Power Cuts a 'Wake-Up Call', Urges Shift to Quality Growth](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-28/malta-chamber-power-cuts-wake-up-call) (2026-07-28)
- [PN Calls for Energy Minister Dalli's Resignation Over Power Cuts](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-27/pn-calls-for-energy-minister-dallis-resignation-over-power-cuts) (2026-07-27)
- [PN Tables No-Confidence Motion in Energy Minister as Government Offers Power Cut Compensation](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-22/pn-tables-no-confidence-motion-in-energy-minister-as-government-offers-power) (2026-07-22)

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