Electricity

Connection to the Electricity Distribution System

The Regulator for Energy and Water Services regulates Enemalta plc which is the sole entity in Malta licenced to carry out the functions of an electricity distribution system operator and supplier of electricity to final customers. 

The licence to carry out of any of the functions of a distribution system operator and the licence supply of electricity were  issued under the Electricity Market Regulations. The Electricity Market Regulations require that the distribution system operator (Enemalta plc) provides to all household customers universal service, and, where the Minister deems it appropriate, also to small enterprises.

A Customer Charter which forms part of the deemed contract that Enemalta plc has with its customers was issued as a requirement of the Electricity Market Regulations and the licence. This Customer Charter has been approved by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, establishes the rights and obligations of the Enemalta plc and its customers.

Any person who wishes his property to be connected to the electricity  distribution system and be supplied with electricity  is required to submit an application in writing to ARMS Ltd., a subsidiary company  of Enemalta plc and Water Services Corporation (WSC), established to manage and operate the water and electricity billing systems, customer care and front office functions. 

Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd website:  www.arms.com.mt

The fees for the provision and installation of a new electricity  service connection or upgrade of an existing service are regulated by Regulation 14 of the Electricity Supply Regulations as follows:

• €300 (three hundred euro)  for  single phase supplies  rated up to  40 Amps and within 150 meters from the nearest suitable low voltage supply ;
• €900 (nine hundred euro) for three phase supplies rated up to  60 Amps per phase and within 150 meters from the nearest suitable low voltage supply.
• In addition, 
• where the route length of the service is longer than 150 meters from the nearest suitable source of low voltage supply:
  • in case of single phase supplies rated up to 40 Amps the applicant has to pay the full cost of the extension less the connection fee in (a) and a minimum charge €430 (four hundred and thirty euro) applies
  • in the case of three phase supplies rated up to 60 Amps per phase the applicant has to pay the full amount of the extension less the connection fees in (b) and a minimum charge of €1,300 (one thousand three hundred euro) applies.
• in case of three phase services rated more than 60 Amps per phase (bulk supplies) the applicant has to pay the full cost of the extension from the nearest substation provided that the Amps multiplied by the distance do not exceed 30,000. In addition a high voltage contribution of €81.52 per kVA applies. Bulk supplies may be rated as follows: 100Amps, 125Amps, 160Amps, 200 Amps, 250 Amps, 315 Amps, 355 Amps, 400 Amps, 450Amps, 500 Amps. 
•  in the case of three phase services rated more than 60Amps per phase and Amps multiplied by the distance exceed 30,000, a new substation would be required which has to be financed by the applicant if designed for his/her sole use or financed through a cost sharing agreement with Enemalta plc and/or other customers in the case of shared substation. 

Houses, apartments, flats, factories, hotels, commercial outlets, offices, and any other buildings which are physically internally interconnected are provided with only one electricity service unless otherwise authorised by the Chairman.
 
In the case of multiple  consumers  within  one  development  the manner in which the development is provided with an electricity connection with the distribution system depends on the type of services required by each customer within the development, total demand of the development and distance from the existing  distribution network as established by Regulation 14(2) of the Electricity Supply Regulations
 
The works related to the provision of a service connection are carried out by distribution system operator unless there is an agreement that the applicant carries out part of the works and this in the case of bulk supplies and substations.
 
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd website:  www.arms.com.mt

In the case where:

• a person takes over the occupation of a residence which is already served with an electricity service connection to the electricity distribution system, an application is required to be submitted to Enemalta plc through ARMS Ltd for registration of change in consumer;
• a tenement is leased to any other person not permanently resident in Malta for longer than one quarter, the person who owns or administers or who has control of such tenement is required to notify the Enemalta plc as established in Regulation 11 of the Electricity Supply Regulations; 
• a tenement is leased to any person, either expressly or tacitly, by the week, by the month or for not more than one quarter, or when the tenement, being let for more than one quarter, is in fact occupied by the tenant for less than one quarter, the person who owns or administers or has under his control such tenement is liable jointly and severally with the lessee for any debt incurred by the latter on account of meter rent and of electricity supply to that tenement.

Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt

In the case of a new connection or upgrade of an existing service, fees for a new service shall apply as provided by the Electricity Supply Regulations. 
In addition, the Enemalta plc and ARMS Ltd require additional documentation to be submitted together with an application for a new service.
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt

In Malta the sole electricity supplier regulated by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services and licensed to supply electricity to final customers is Enemalta plc. Therefore, switching of electricity supplier is not possible.

Any person who wishes to apply for:

• an alteration of electricity service;
• the removal of an electricity service connection;
• connecting a combined heat and power plant to the grid;
• gaiters or switching or deviation;
• power factor correction;
• a registration of a change in consumer; 
• a temporary recognition of a tenant in rented premises; 
• registration of change in consumer (spouse to spouse);
• change in the declaration of number of persons on account;
• for redress;
• a test or change of an electricity meter;
• an up-to-date bill;
• a temporary supply of electricity;
• connecting of a solar photovoltaic installation;
• connecting a micro wind turbine installation;
• a change in billing tariff (including feed-in tariff option change);
• a solar water heater rebate;
• re-connection of service;
• declaration of service which is not in regular use;

is required to submit such an application in writing to ARMS Ltd.

Further details on these services and other services may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt

The Customer charter published by Enemalta plc establishes provisions for receipt of customer complaints.

Complaints should be submitted to Enemalta plc / ARMS Ltd.:

• either through their websites – www.enemalta.com.mt and www.arms.com.mt 
• or by phoning Enemalta Customer care on freephone 8007 2224 or by email customercare.em@enemalta.com.mt for complaints related to technical issues
• or by phoning ARMS Ltd on freephone 80072222 or by email customercare@arms.com.mt for billing and applications related issues
• or by visiting ARMS Ltd. Customer Care Offices at:
  • Gattard House,Triq Nazzjonali, Blata l-Bajda, Malta;
  • Triq L-Ifran, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta;
  • Triq Il-Kapuċċini, Rabat, Gozo;
  • Triq Il-Ħamrija, Xewkija, Gozo.

Any person who wishes to apply for claim for damages is required to submit an application in writing to ARMS Ltd.

In the case where a consumer has exhausted all complaint handling process with the Enemalta plc  and/or ARMS Ltd and feels aggrieved by the decision made or feels that his complaint has not been adequately addressed, he may submit a complaint regarding his dispute to REWS under the Dispute Resolution (Procedure) Regulations (S.L.545.30).  Further details on how such a complaint may be submitted to REWS may be found here:  (Filing a Complaint).

Any person requiring assistance to pay his bill should contact the Enemalta Credit Control.  

Any person with special needs requiring such assistance should contact the Enemalta plc regarding any requests for special assistance.

The Enemalta pc is also regulated by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services in accordance with the Regulator for Energy and Water Services Act and the Electricity Market Regulations

The Electricity Supply Regulations establish provisions related to:

• applications for the supply of electricity;
• the applicable tariffs and connection fees,  
• deposits, refunds and surety;
• metering and billing;
• tampering with meter;
• notification to the Enemalta in case of lease of a tenement;
• access to premises and identification of Enemalta employees;
• notification of appointments to install apparatus etc.;
• suspension of supply.