Cables are disconnected in St Thomas Bay yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Enemalta yesterday disconnected about 100 boathouses in Armier and Marsascala from the electricity grid in a crackdown on illegal power supply.

The move followed warnings by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat last month that the company would clamp down on electricity theft by boathouse owners if they did not regularise their position.

The government is currently in talks with the owners to find a permanent solution to the illegal boathouses at Armier in Mellieħa and St Thomas Bay in Marsascala.

In the meantime, a scheme was introduced to allow owners to regularise their position for electricity supply.

Amid controversy, the Prime Minister had said the measure was intended to deter the theft of electricity and did not imply title to the land. For a fee of €1,500 and an annual extension charge of €230, owners could have a smart meter installed.

The deadline to regularise positions was Thursday, so yesterday Enemalta inspectors, accompanied by police officers, started inspections on site to remove any unauthorised connections to the grid.

More than 100 cases of suspected irregularities were identified and the boathouses disconnected, with inquiries under way.

We are making it clear that Enemalta will not tolerate electricity theft or other similar abuse

In a company statement, executive chairman Fredrick Azzopardi said Enemalta had this year implemented various measures to curb theft and cut down on non-technical losses by the corporation.

“We began a major operation to eliminate a serious case of electricity theft involving tampered meters and clamped down on other related irregularities,” he said.

“We investigated every case, took all necessary action to recover the revenue lost and passed on the relevant details to the police for further investigation.

“We are making it clear that Enemalta will not tolerate electricity theft or other similar abuse.”

The effort to tackle electricity irregularities in boathouses started a few months ago.

The corporation took stock of all authorised connections installed by Enemalta in previous years. Individuals who did not have a regular connection then had a month to apply for a temporary supply, if they paid the applicable fees and deposits.

“We are now inspecting these areas to make sure that all irregularities are removed,” Ing. Azzopardi said.

The company is urging those who are aware of any irregularity to call 8007 2224 or send an e-mail to customercare.em@enemalta.com.mt.

They can also report these irregularities anonymously at www.enemalta.com.mt.