As temperatures reach seasonal highs, demand for electricity registered all-time peaks three times in three consecutive weeks, reaching a new record of 469 megawatts yesterday.

Enemalta registered the highest electricity peak load ever recorded in the Maltese islands at any one time, 469 megawatts.

The load late yesterday reached a high of 452 megawatts – the highest demand ever registered in Malta during the night.

Previously, the all-time peak grid load stood at 438 megawatts, registered two years ago, in July 2015

Previously, the all-time peak grid load stood at 438 megawatts, registered two years ago, in July 2015.

The demand, known as the peak electricity grid load – calculates the greatest amount of energy distributed through the national electricity network to Enemalta’s customers at any one time.

Electricity consumption is increasing every year as air conditioners are no longer considered to be a luxury for either homes or businesses. More economic activity and population growth have also driven up demand: in fact, Enemalta noted that the highest growth in electricity consumption in recent years was seen in tourism and industrial zones.

This was the first time that peak grid loads were reached without resorting to electricity generated by the old HFO-fired power plants at Marsa and the old Delimara power station, relying instead on a generation mix based on the new natural gas-fired plants, the Malta-Italy Interconnector and grid-connected renewable energy sources, Enemalta said.

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