Caroline Muscat
Electricity distribution loss among 'highest' in Europe
Enemalta's distribution losses for 2007 stood at 13 per cent of total electricity generated, among the highest in Europe, according to figures provided by the Resources Ministry.
The losses, costing millions of euros, are down from 15.8 per cent in 2005. But the figure is still double the European average of units of electricity sent out to the grid but which remain unbilled.
Last year, Enemalta's technical losses - inefficiencies in the transmission and distribution of electricity - totalled six per cent.
The corporation suffered a further loss of seven per cent, due to non-technical losses such as theft and billing system inaccuracies.
The government has decided to increase Enemalta's water and electricity tariffs in a bid to eliminate millions in subsidies to the corporation.
In Europe and the US, average network losses are around seven per cent, according to figures released by the European Copper Institute and Ofgem, which regulates the electricity and gas markets in the UK.
According to a report published by the European institute this year, Malta's electricity distribution loss is among the highest in Europe. The only countries to suffer similar percentages of distribution loss are those from the ex-Soviet bloc, including Estonia, which is listed at 16 per cent, and Lithuania and Latvia, suffering losses of around 14 per cent.
Worldwide, the countries suffering the worst distribution losses are considered to be Mexico, Brazil, and India, that lose out via illegal network connections; around 14 per cent, 18 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.
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In Discussion
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Charles Camilleri
Nov 2nd 2008, 16:59
What about an exercise by an independent accounting firm to monitor the waste that exists at Enemalta? Stories come flying out about the numbers of cars hired by employees and the unnecessary overtime. One story goes for an employee who had been sick for 3 yrs reporting for duties only in the week ends and public holidays and boasted to earn 100 Maltese liria wk. So before we blame the high cost of oil we have also to take into consideration whether Enemalta is efficiently run. It seems that the present Auditors are not doing much to pin point these abuses the cost of which has to be borne by the consumer.
Nigel Lawrence
Nov 2nd 2008, 16:48
Enemalta's distribution losses for 2007 stood at 13 per cent---------- what percentage of this 13% accounts for electricity theft?
John A. Azzopardi
Nov 2nd 2008, 12:45
Let us be intelligent and reasonable ! Let us be positive and reduce the unbilled distribution losses, at least, to the European average. That would mean an increase in Enemalta revenue of 6 percent.
Can somebody convert that percentage into Euros ? How much would 6 percent be in Euros ?
How much could that increase alleviate the burden of the latest increases?
Come on Dr. Gonzi, come on Dr. Muscat, come on Messrs consultants .. give us some answers.
And while you are at it, would it be possible to cut down the losses to even lower percentages and thus increase the Revenue, thereby reducing the necessity of the surcharges?
To my humble mind the current buzz word "Eco...something" means just that - cut down on wastage!