Over the past 12 months, spanning from December 2024 to November 2025, Malta's electricity consumption heavily leaned on fossil fuels, which accounted for more than 84% of the total electricity generated, with gas contributing about the same proportion, just slightly below. In contrast, low-carbon electricity sources, collectively making up about 15%, mark a modest but significant portion emphasizing a push towards cleaner energy. Notably, solar energy plays a substantial role within this low-carbon bracket, accounting for nearly all of the low-carbon electricity with around 14.5%. This substantial reliance on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for Malta to accelerate its transition to more sustainable energy solutions in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Malta?
Despite the significant role of solar power, overall electricity consumption in Malta has seen a downturn. In 2025, the electricity consumption was 3880 kWh per person, indicating a substantial decline from the highest recorded figure in 2024, which was 5686 kWh per person. This represents a decrease of over 30%, illustrating a concerning trend. Furthermore, the generation from low-carbon sources also followed a similar, although less severe, downward trend. In 2025, it stood at 595 kWh per person, a slight decrease from the 597 kWh per person recorded in 2023. The decrease in total electricity consumption could hinder Malta’s ongoing efforts to further embrace electrification and harness the potential of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Malta should focus on the expansion of solar energy, given its proven efficacy in the region. Inspired by successful international examples, integrating nuclear energy with solar expansion could be a game-changing approach. Regions like Nevada and Lebanon, with their significant solar contributions, showcase what can be achieved under favorable conditions akin to Malta’s sunny climate. On the other hand, countries such as France and Slovakia have excelled in harnessing nuclear energy, which can provide a constant power supply, complementing the intermittency of solar. Drawing on these experiences will enable Malta to diversify its energy portfolio, ensuring a reliable and sustainable electricity supply and setting a standard for other island nations.
History
Historically, Malta's path toward low-carbon electricity has shown little variation, with solar energy as the constant low-carbon contributor since 2011. From the early 2010s through to this latest data, there has been a steady state of electricity generation from solar, neither advancing nor retreating. Biofuels have been documented but without notable development or decline. The lack of nuclear or a broader solar initiative until now illustrates a missed opportunity in diversifying and multiplying low-carbon sources. Elevating the proportion of these energies in the national mix will necessitate innovative policies, infrastructural investment, and a commitment to harnessing solar potential alongside potentially game-changing nuclear installations. By adopting more robust strategies, Malta can hope to see real growth in its low-carbon energy generation in the decades to come.
