Enemalta has laid out its strategic objectives up to 2013 in a Strategic Plan tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The top priority of the energy provider for the coming two years is to turn around its finances "and not only be in the black, but also gain the required return on capital to fund the next 3-5 years capital projects on a healthy balance sheet."

It is also aiming to reduce operational costs through increased efficiencies following process transformations and organisational reforms. These will include a reorganisation of the workshop and generation sections, a reduction in overtime and sick leave, improved inventory turnaround and a reduction of stock levels, a reduction in communications costs and a review and updating of all policies and procedures aimed at cost reduction and customer satisfaction.

The corporation is planning to reduce its non-technical losses to less than 30% of the current losses by 2013.

Other objectives include a commitment to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity to customers other than planned maintenance activities, the decommissioning of Marsa power station and the commissioning of the interconnector by 2013, a reduction of emission levels and action to promote and improve the way the corporation is viewed by the public.

The document speaks of how the corporation is going through a paradigm shift, saying, for example, that from a diversified energy organisation, Enemalta is becoming a player focused on electricity generation, transmission and distribution. From a monopolistic culture it is shifting to a competitive organisation where centralised decision-making will give way to an empowered and motivated workforce.

The reference to 'emphasis on continuity of supply at all costs' has been replaced in the new document by a 'commitment to ensure continuity of supply at the least costs'.

The corporation says that its new mission statement is based on the concept that the customer comes first, that it is also committed to reduce costs responsibly, generate and provide safe and cleaner energy, empower the staff, and position the corporation to be competitive and able to sustain potential competition.

The corporation says it needs to be proactive and have a sense of urgency in all its activities.

It also underlines the importance of remaining ethical, honest and consistent in the quality of its standards and principles and its commitment to the environment and 'readily admit mistakes' when they are made.

It shall not, it says, act unfairly towards customers, be inconsistent in its communication and fail to recognized its responsibilities. It shall also not create a blame-culture among the employees.

With regard to reliability of supply, the corporation says it will do whatever possible to maintain an uninterrupted supply of energy, do whatever possible to restore service in case of a fault and engage with everyone to listen to new ideas, solutions and options.

"We shall not: fail to act promptly in the event of disruption of supply; discount any preventive maintenance; and divest on security and do the bare minimum," the corporation says.

The document makes no mention of compensation for outages.

The full document can be seen by clicking on the pdf below.