Over the course of the last 12 months, specifically from May 2024 to April 2025, Malta's electricity consumption has been predominantly reliant on fossil fuels. More than four-fifths, or roughly 85%, of electricity derives from fossil sources, with gas alone comprising nearly the entirety of that sum at 84%. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources account for just over 15% of the total electricity consumption. The overwhelming majority of Malta’s low-carbon electricity comes from solar energy, composing nearly all of the low-carbon category at approximately 15%. This indicates a substantial opportunity for Malta to pivot towards cleaner energy sources, given the minute current contribution from low-carbon electricity relative to fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Malta?
Looking at Malta's electricity consumption trends, there has been a significant decline. The most recent data from 2025 highlights that electricity consumption per person has decreased to 3808 kWh, compared to the historical peak of 5850 kWh per person seen in 2024. This represents a sharp reduction of 2042 kWh per person, suggesting a contraction in usage which could have several implications including economic or efficiency impacts. The situation is similarly disappointing with low-carbon electricity generation, where the recent figures indicate a decline to 576 kWh per person from a previous peak of 683 kWh per person. The fall of 107 kWh highlights how the growth of low-carbon energy sources has stagnated, a trend which needs urgent reversal to address both energy security and climate challenges.
Suggestions
To expand low-carbon electricity generation in Malta, boosting solar capabilities offers a promising pathway, building upon its established role. Given Malta's geographical advantages with ample sunlight, enhancing solar infrastructure could exponentially increase clean energy output. Malta can also draw valuable lessons from other regions that excel in diverse low-carbon pathways. For instance, integrating nuclear energy into Malta’s portfolio, as successfully implemented in France where it accounts for 69% of electricity, alongside solar initiatives, could drastically reduce fossil reliance. Similarly, taking cues from Lebanon’s solar success, where solar represents 31% of their electricity mix, could guide Malta in maximizing solar potential. Combining these approaches would foster a robust, sustainable electricity system.
History
Historically, much of Malta's foray into low-carbon energy has centered on solar power. Since 2010, solar electricity generation witnessed stagnant activity with no notable increases. For over a decade, from 2010 through 2024, the contribution from solar remained unchanged annually. Finally, in 2025, there was a minor decrease of 0.1 TWh in solar output, illustrating a slight decline rather than expansion. This history underscores the need for proactive strategies to amplify solar energy development and explore additional clean energy sources, such as nuclear energy to ensure a resilient and sustainable electricity future for Malta.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.