Electrical power generation in Malta increased by 13.3 per cent in the past 12 years, the National Statistics Office said this morning.

It said that energy statistical data showed that, overall, there was an increasing demand for electrical energy in the past 12 years, although there were noticeable decreases in 2009 and 2010.

The highest generated power consumption was registered in 2007 (2.30 million megawatt hours), followed by 2.28 million megawatt hours in 2008.

July 2008 saw the highest generated consumption, with 242,991 megawatt hours, while April 2000 saw the lowest, with 137,614 megawatt hours.

The maximum electricity demand was in July and August for all years.

The average annual maximum was highest in 2005 and 2007, with 363 megawatts. The average annual lowest electricity demand amounted to 301 megawatts in 2000 and 315 megawatts in 2001.

In 2010, the domestic sector absorbed 27 per cent of electrical consumption, while the commercial segment consumed 29 per cent. Approximately 14 per cent of electricity generation is lost during transmission and/or unnaccounted for.

Last year, road transportation accounted for 19 per cent of total fuel consumption in Malta, while the industrial and commerical sector consumed four per cent.