When it comes to the generation and distribution of electricity, there are no holidays. Workers from different sections at Enemalta are on duty around the clock, everyday, to operate the power stations, carry out the necessary maintenance and repairs to the distribution network and to respond to customers’ requests for assistance.
Christmas Day is no different. A team of 75 employees will be on duty at all hours, while other technicians and engineers will be on standby to report for work if the need arises.
Electricity is taken for granted most of the time, and when everyone is celebrating holidays like Christmas we forget that there are people on duty, working to make sure we enjoy these special moments with our families.
This year, two of the employees who will be on duty on Christmas day at Enemalta share with us their thoughts about being away from their families at Christmas.
John Paul Sciberras, a Distribution Technician from the Gozo District who has been with Enemalta for almost 30 years said “I have been working with Enemalta’s Distribution Section in Gozo for almost 30 years. It is not the first time that I happened to be on duty on Christmas Day. Our priority is to repair any faults in the distribution network and restore supply to customers as soon as possible. No one likes to spend time without electricity, but when faults occur during such important holidays, expectations are much higher. Usually, our customers are grateful that we are there to provide assistance even during holidays. Some are actually surprised when we respond to their calls and provide assistance on days when everyone else is out celebrating. Others aren’t always that appreciative. Since I’m going to be on duty during Christmas Day, instead of meeting all together for a family meal at lunch time, this year we decided to postpone celebrations to dinnertime, as soon as I get back home.”
A Generation Officer at the Delimara Power Station, Paul Grima, also took the time to share his thoughts; “Electricity generation is a 24-hour job. We have to be here to operate the plants and meet the demand for electricity at all times. I’m used to working during holidays and this will not be the first Christmas Day spent at the power station. Naturally, my family aren’t happy about it but my wife is very understanding as she’s a shift worker too. In fact, I’ll be on duty on Christmas Day and she’s going to be working on New Year’s Day. The family celebrations will have to wait until both she and I have a Sunday off – then we make sure to get everyone together and make up for lost time!”
Photo caption;
At Enemalta, different sections take the initiative to share the Christmas spirit in the workplace with nativity scenes, Christmas trees and other decorations. In recent years, at the Delimara Power Station some workers started setting up a nativity scene made of recycled materials. This is becoming a very popular annual activity, with workers spending some of their break time helping in the construction.