The Ministry for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, together with the Malta Freeport Corporation, has secured EU funding for the second phase of the provision of onshore power supply within the Malta Freeport. A project proposal was submitted at the onset of 2025 for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility Transport Call. There were a total of 20 projects submitted by various EU member states. Only 4 were selected and approved.
The project seeks to provide high voltage shore power connection along South Quay Terminal 2 and West Quay Terminal 1 within the Malta Freeport.
Total project investment cost amounts to €18.4m with the European Commission approving the maximum co-financing grant of €12.35 million for this project. Malta faced tough competition from projects submitted by other Member States and has managed to secure the necessary funding.
This project is the 2nd phase of the investment being undertaken by Malta Freeport Corporation given that there is the first phase for the provision of onshore power supply within the Freeport, that is ongoing, and which seeks to provide shore connection along North Quay Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The first phase is co-financed through the EU JUST Transition Facility Fund whilst the 2nd phase will now be co-financed through the Connection Europe Facility.
This is the fourth onshore power supply project that Malta is undertaking. Two onshore power supply projects focus on the TEN-T Core Port of the Grand Harbour whilst two projects will be implemented within the Malta Freeport which is located within the TEN-T Core Port of Marsaxlokk.
Through the provision of onshore power supply, the quays will now be equipped to provide port side energy to the vessels thus enabling the latter to switch off the auxiliary engines consequently contributing towards a reduction in emissions. The portside electrification will render maritime operations more sustainable in the long run.
