Electricity night tariffs would be introduced from March 2014 as the interconnector project was on schedule, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech announced yesterday.

Electricity costs could go down by up to 26 per cent between 10pm and 6am

The Government claims that electricity costs could go down by up to 26 per cent between 10pm and 6am once the interconnector is on stream.

Following a visit to the ongoing works in Kappara, part of a €75 million upgrade of Malta’s electricity distribution network, Mr Fenech said the project should start contributing to the island’s electricity system from next March.

He said this would allow the country to benefit from cheaper tariffs during the night, more environment-friendly electricity and more secure supplies.

The distribution upgrade includes excavating nine kilometres of underground tunnels and building distribution centres.

Martin Attard Montalto, Enemalta’s project leader on the interconnector, said the 200MW submarine cable between Magħtab and Ragusa in Sicily is being manufactured and would start being laid in August.

The new distribution infrastructure is planned to be ready in June so the interconnector can start functioning immediately upon its commissioning in the first quarter of 2014.

It will give Malta an electricity capacity of 700MW, well above what is currently needed.

Electricity demand is at its peak in August, with the highest electricity load reaching 430 MW.

Mr Attard Montalto said the Marsa power station would be switched off and a new distribution centre would be built on the site once the interconnector was commissioned.

Mr Fenech said the interconnector was part of the Government’s energy vision to diversify the country’s energy mix.

He said the Government also planned to have a gas pipeline with Sicily adding that with a 700MW capacity Malta already had the necessary supply and did not need a new power station.

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