Enemalta can cut power to private hospital, court rules

St Philips Hospital has lost a legal battle to stop Enemalta from suspending its electricity supply.

The First Hall of the Civil Court threw out an application for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction against Enemalta Corporation.

Golden Shepherd Co. Ltd, which owns the private hospital, said it paid part of the electricity bills pending a dispute over the amount charged.

The hospital management contested the bills with the Office of Fair Competition, particularly with regard to the validity of the government surcharge and the capping. It paid part of the bills on account but held the rest pending the outcome of the complaint.

In the writ, the company argued that Enemalta was abusing its monopoly position.

Enemalta replied that the electricity supply was regulated by law and that it was legally entitled to disconnect the supply to a consumer that did not settle bills promptly.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Raymond Pace said the company's application did not justify the issue of a prohibitory injunction because it had not proved that it had a prima facie right not to pay the bills.