In 2025, electricity consumption in Malta relies heavily on fossil fuels, with over four-fifths of its electricity sourced from gas. The dependence on fossil-based energy presents significant challenges for transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape. On the brighter side, Malta does generate some low-carbon electricity, with close to one-sixth of its power derived from solar energy. This indicates that while efforts toward adopting clean energy exist, the scale is still modest. The significant reliance on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for strategic shifts to expand low-carbon electricity generation and reduce environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel consumption.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Malta?
The trend in Malta's electricity consumption from 2024 to 2025 reveals a notable decrease. Recent figures show that electricity consumption per person has dropped from nearly 5700 kWh in 2024 to about 3900 kWh in the past year. This decline of about 1800 kWh indicates a worrying reduction in electricity use, which may affect Malta's economic growth and capacity to adopt emerging technologies like AI. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation saw a minor decrease, dropping just 1 kWh per person compared to 2023. This stagnation underscores the pressing need to accelerate the expansion of clean energy sources to meet not only current needs but also future demands fueled by electrification trends.
Suggestions
To address these challenges, Malta should focus on scaling up solar energy generation, given its existing capacity in this area. Learning from regions excelling in low-carbon electricity, such as Nevada and California, where solar energy is a significant contributor to their electricity mix, could provide valuable insights. Malta might also look to France and other countries like Slovakia and New Hampshire, where nuclear power constitutes a major portion of their electricity production, demonstrating renewable and reliable energy alternatives. By investing in proven technologies such as solar and nuclear, Malta can increase its low-carbon electricity share, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and aligning with global sustainability goals.
History
Over the past decade, Malta has seen a negligible trend in low-carbon electricity generation. From 2011 through 2023, there has been no recorded increase in electricity from solar or biofuels. This stagnation presents both a challenge and an opportunity as the country pivots towards expanding clean energy technologies. The lack of growth in recent history underscores the critical need for proactive policies and investments aimed at accelerating the adoption of green energy. By learning from countries leading in solar and nuclear capacity, Malta can position itself as a forward-thinking nation in the transition to sustainable electricity.
