The Auditor General's report on Enemalta and the electricity distribution system confirms the lack of long-term planning in modern electricity distribution systems, ADPD - The Green Party has said.

"All this has disastrous consequences."

Sandra Gauci, ADPD - The Green Party Chairperson, said: "It has now been confirmed that the government is more interested in spending a million euros a day in blanket subsidies on electricity consumption irrespective of waste, rather than offering a modern service that meets the demand for electricity, and rather than investing in efficiency, controlling waste and in a system that can withstand more and more clean and renewable energy."

"We want a modern energy system that ensures a supply of electricity for a better quality of life. This includes a transition towards more and more renewable energy, and a 'smart' distribution system that meets the needs of a zero-carbon economy. It is clear that incompetence and carelessness that led to the situation of the power cuts. The increase in demand was predictable, both because of the tsunami of construction projects, the construction of more and more hotels that we don't need because we already have too many beds for tourists, and also because of climate change, an emergency we are all aware of for years on end now. It is also obvious that the government incentivizes wastage because instead of ensuring reasonable tariffs for those who use energy wisely, it also rewards those who waste and use electricity recklessly. Government is subsidising excessive use."

Another example of recklessness was the waste of money in Montenegro, the party said, asking that there be accountability for this.

ADPD - The Green Party Secretary General Dr. Ralph Cassar said that the disaster in the energy system is a result of incompetence and a sheer lack of long-term planning. "The energy sector in Malta has frequently focused on fuel purchases, a source of huge profits for the few. The case of gas purchases and the oil scandal are but two examples. However, very little has been done to improve the distribution system itself."

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