Hoteliers assured of better power supply

Representatives from the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association were yesterday assured that Enemalta's planned new power distribution centre in Mosta would improve the distribution network in the north of the island and in Gozo.

Frequent power cuts over the summer had caused an outcry, especially from householders and the hospitality industry based in the north, the worst hit area.

Enemalta had blamed the cuts on the substantial rise in demand for electricity due to the increasing use of air conditioners.

The first phase of the Lm10 million project is expected to be commissioned next month, and the centre will also be used to enhance the supply to the Sliema and Paceville areas, Enemalta said yesterday.

The first phase will consist in the running of one transformer of 90 MVA (a power capacity equivalent to approximately 90 million watts) and another temporary one of 22.5 MVA. Eventually, there will be four transformers in all, two of 90 MVA and two of 50.

A tunnel has been dug between Mosta and Marsa, carrying 132 kV cables, as opposed to the previous 33 kV, which is expected to also improve the service to the north.

The MHRA representatives, who included general managers and engineers from leading hotels and accommodation resorts in the north, were taken around the Mosta distribution centre.