Long-term energy and water plans for Gozo discussed with the Gozo Regional Committee

Minister for Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, and Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, together with the management of Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation (WSC), met with members of the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC) within the MCESD to discuss the extensive work being carried out in Gozo in the fields of energy, water, and drainage.

During the meeting, the Government’s long-term plan for the modernisation of service infrastructure in Gozo was presented. This plan looks beyond immediate needs and lays the foundations for a country that is prepared for the future. It was emphasised that this work is not merely an investment in projects, but in essential services that directly affect quality of life and the resilience of the Maltese Islands.

Minister Miriam Dalli stressed that this is a strategic plan that ensures continuity and clear implementation. “We are investing consistently and in a planned manner so that our country’s infrastructure can meet tomorrow’s realities. Gozo is an integral part of this national vision, and the projects being implemented here are designed to strengthen resilience, security, and service quality for the years to come,” said Minister Dalli.

Minister Clint Camilleri stated that this work confirms that Gozo is being given the same importance as Malta in the country’s national development plan. He explained that, “Investment in energy and water is crucial so that Gozitan families and businesses have better, more reliable, and more resilient services. Many of the roads we have upgraded have also been provided with new services, as is being done in Marsalforn Road, in order to reduce inconvenience in the future.”

With regards to the energy sector, discussions focused on two new distribution centres that will be built in Kerċem and Għajnsielem. The latter will accommodate a new 132kV cable that will serve as a new link between Malta and Gozo. This project will modernise and diversify the electricity supply to Gozo and significantly strengthen the system’s resilience, alongside extensive reinforcement works on the distribution network across the island.

In the water services sector, the Water Services Corporation invested more than €3 million in four major projects over the past year, involving upgrades to water and drainage networks in Nadur, Sannat, and Kerċem. Investment was also made in the Ħondoq Reverse Osmosis plant, while a new reservoir was built at Tas-Seqer to strengthen water supply to western Gozo.

In collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and local councils, further infrastructure projects were completed in various localities. Work is currently underway on a number of other projects, including the route between Rabat and Marsalforn, network upgrades in several villages, and new investments in pumping stations and reservoirs. In the coming weeks, new works are also expected to begin on various roads, as well as an €8 million project to modernise water networks using environmentally friendly methods.

A crucial environmental project for Gozo was also discussed during the meeting — the upgrade of the sewage treatment plant and polishing plant at Ras il-Ħobż, with an investment of €25 million. This project will significantly enhance environmental services on the island of Gozo. The call for tenders for this project has been published and is expected to close in the coming days.

The Gozo Regional Committee welcomed these plans as an important step but clearly emphasised that Gozo has different realities from Malta, particularly due to its double insularity. The Committee confirmed that it will continue to closely monitor these plans and collaborate with national authorities, while representing the interests of Gozo and its stakeholders. “It was a very important meeting because, naturally, Gozo has a growing population and therefore demand for both water and electricity is continuously increasing,” said GRC Chairperson Michael Galea.

The GRC is a committee within the MCESD, a member of the MCESD Council, and one of the Social Partners representing Gozo.

The Ministers thanked the members of the GRC for their contribution, as well as Enemalta and the WSC for their continuous and professional work, while reiterating the Government’s commitment to continue investing substantially in Gozo so that energy and water supply becomes more stable, modern, and sustainable.