Electricity & gas in Malta: your rights

The market

Enemalta plc is both the distribution network operator and the electricity supplier for Malta and Gozo, so households cannot choose another supplier. Billing is handled by its subsidiary ARMS Ltd. There is no mains gas for homes; LPG cylinders are sold at regulated prices.

Energy regulator

Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS)

Dispute resolution

REWS – Dispute Resolution (S.L. 545.30) · free

First complain to Enemalta or ARMS and complete their complaints process. If you are still not satisfied, send REWS the Notice of Dispute form with your bills and correspondence; REWS aims to decide within 90 days.

Switching supplier

Switching supplier is not possible: Enemalta is the only electricity supplier. To take over or end an account you apply to ARMS Ltd (freephone 8007 2222), and pending dues must be settled first.

Price rises

Electricity tariffs are fixed in law (Electricity Connection and Supply Regulations, S.L. 545.41) and approved by REWS. The residential tariffs in force date from 31 March 2014. Enemalta says any tariff change is announced publicly in advance.

Regulated price

All households pay the regulated tariff: a yearly service fee (€65 single phase) plus a price per kWh that rises with annual use, from €0.1047 (first 2,000 kWh) to €0.6076 above 20,000 kWh, VAT included (residential tariff).

Help if money is tight

A social security benefit towards water and electricity bills for eligible households. Apply online to the Department of Social Security with your water and electricity account number, or through a servizz.gov office.

Protection against cut-off

Unpaid bills bring interest and late fees, reminders on later bills and a final suspension notice with a deadline. Contact ARMS early to agree instalments. Supply is not cut while a well-founded billing dispute is open; after payment it is restored within about 24 hours.

If your supplier goes bust

Not applicable in practice: Enemalta plc is the only electricity supplier and network operator, so there is no switch to another supplier if a retailer fails.

Power cut

Report a power cut to Enemalta on freephone 153 (extension 15) or on 8000 2224, both 24/7, or online, and check the live outage map. Enemalta aims to restore unplanned cuts normally within 24 hours and to announce planned cuts two days ahead. For damage, send Enemalta a Claim for Damages application with documented evidence. If you disagree with its decision, an independent Advisory Board can review claims of up to €3,500.

Cooling-off period

Doorstep selling of electricity contracts does not arise, because Enemalta is the only supplier and accounts are opened through ARMS applications.

Smart meter

Enemalta measures consumption with smart meters that send readings remotely. Customers who still have an older meter are encouraged to ask Enemalta to replace it with a smart meter. You can follow your use online via My Consumption.

Solar panels

Solar PV under 40 kWp can apply to REWS for a feed-in tariff, fixed for the guarantee period. You sell all output or only the surplus to Enemalta; exports above kWp × 1,600 kWh a year get the market-price proxy. Household FIT income is tax- and VAT-free.

Free energy advice

Government agency offering energy and water saving tips and information on support schemes. For help paying bills, see the Energy Benefit from the Department of Social Security.

Fixed and dynamic contracts

There is no choice of electricity contract in Malta. Enemalta is the only supplier and all customers, households and businesses, are on regulated tariffs. REWS reports that dynamic price contracts are not available and the energy price does not follow wholesale prices.

• Under Article 66(5) of Directive (EU) 2019/944 the EU rule on free choice of supplier does not apply to Malta until 5 July 2027; the European Commission can extend this by up to eight years. (rews.org.mt)

Heating without the gas grid

Bottled LPG and propane are sold at regulated retail prices. REWS lists the consumer prices in force since 1 April 2020: LPG mix €15.00 for a 12 kg cylinder, €18.75 for 15 kg and €31.25 for 25 kg.

• Propane cylinders cost €15.10 for 12 kg, €18.90 for 15 kg and €31.45 for 25 kg (REWS, consumer prices since 1 April 2020). (rews.org.mt)

Grants for heat pumps and insulation

REWS runs the household grant schemes. The Water Heater Scheme (solar and heat pump water heaters) and the Roof Insulation and Double Glazing (retrofitting) scheme are extended to 31 December 2026. Submit Part A online before you buy or install anything.

• For water heaters, wait for REWS's confirmation letter before buying. A complete application is generally decided within five weeks; Part B follows after installation, within six months of acceptance. (rews.org.mt)
• The roof insulation and double glazing scheme (Government Notice 2031 of 2025) is for private individuals on their residential property; Part A must be done online before purchase and installation. (rews.org.mt)
• The 2026 Renewable Energy Sources Scheme (PV with hybrid inverter: 65% up to €3,000; battery: 75% up to €6,000) stopped accepting applications on 12 September 2026. (rews.org.mt)

Charging an electric car at home

For charging at home you can apply to ARMS Ltd for a separate meter only for your electric vehicle. Charging on it during off-peak hours (00:00-05:59 and 12:00-15:59 daily, all day on Sunday) is billed at a flat €0.1298 per kWh.

• If you have a car space in an apartment block, you can apply to ARMS Ltd for an EV meter in that car space, even without an apartment electricity service in the same building. (rews.org.mt)
• The off-peak EV rate of €0.1298 per kWh is listed in the regulated electricity tariffs published by REWS. (rews.org.mt)

Back-billing and estimated bills

ARMS Ltd bills every two months. Once your smart meter is read remotely, bills are based on actual readings; otherwise a bill can be an estimate. You can book a meter-reading visit and, if needed, have your bill revised.

• If you think your meter is not recording correctly, apply for a meter test. There is a charge, refunded if the meter is found faulty. (arms.com.mt)
• For an unoccupied property you can apply to have the meter read once a year instead of receiving estimated bills every two months; meter rent is still billed. (arms.com.mt)

Energy costs for tenants

The owner does not have to move the ARMS account into the tenant's name, but the people living there must be declared (Form H) so the account gets the residential tariff and the number-of-persons subsidy. If the owner refuses and you have a signed lease, use Form F2 (Temporary Recognition of Tenant).

• With the owner's agreement you can put the account in your name for the rental period. As you are not the owner, ARMS asks a €466 deposit, offset against your last bill. Move the account back before you leave. (arms.com.mt)
• A person can receive the number-of-persons subsidy on one account only; registering on a new account removes you from the old one. (arms.com.mt)
• If you paid the domestic rate while entitled to the residential rate, fill in Form H1. (arms.com.mt)

Vulnerable and medical customers

REWS reports that vulnerable electricity customers are catered for through social policy: eligible households receive the Energy Benefit, deducted directly from their bills, and there is no special tariff for them.

• Groups that may qualify include low-income families, households with a family member with a disability, families on social assistance or special unemployment benefit, and people on a pension or carer's pension. (rews.org.mt)
• Under the Vulnerable Households Scheme, the Energy and Water Agency replaces old, inefficient appliances and gives saving tips. You are referred by your social worker. (energywateragency.gov.mt)

Grid connection

Maltese law does not define a time limit for connecting a new customer. REWS reports that in 2024 Enemalta took on average 12.9 days from application to installing the meter for a new non-complex connection.

• Complaints about connection or voltage quality go first to Enemalta plc. Complaints against the network operator can then be referred to REWS, which must decide within four months (extendable by two months with your agreement). (rews.org.mt)
• Applications for a new electricity service are submitted to ARMS Ltd using its application forms. (arms.com.mt)

Consumer organisation

Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) – Consumer Helpline 8007 4400