Electricity in Malta in 2022
In 2022, energy consumption in Malta remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, representing nearly 69% of the total, with gas consumption making up of nearly 67% of that figure. Low-carbon energy sources account for just above 9% of Malta's energy, with solar energy contributing almost all of this share with biofuels representing a very minor element. This dynamic shows a significant differentiation towards fossil energy and comes amid a situation where approximately 22% of Malta's electricity consumption is made up of net imports.
Suggestions
Looking at other countries, Malta could increase its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from their experiences. For instance, Denmark significantly relies on its wind energy, providing 52% of its total electricity. Similarly, Portugal and Ireland both gain over a quarter of their electricity from wind. If Malta could harness the power of the wind as these countries have, it could significantly increase its low-carbon power generation. Lessons can also be learned from similarly sized countries in Europe that heavily rely on nuclear energy – such as Slovakia, Slovenia, and Belgium - where this source makes up more than 35% of their electricity generation.
History
Turning to Malta's history of low-carbon electricity, it has been a slow process with very minor changes. For more than a decade starting from 2010, both solar and biofuel's contributions to the total electricity generation have remained stagnant at zero. This shows that despite the clear need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner forms of energy, progress in Malta has been notably slow and largely negligible. With this historical context in mind, the challenge for Malta moving forward is to significantly speed up its transition to low-carbon sources of electricity.