Malta is casting its net across the Mediterranean in a bold bid to close one of Europe's most stubborn energy gaps. The government has launched a pre-market consultation to explore importing renewable energy from North Africa, hoping to inject fresh momentum into a clean energy drive that's been falling short of its own ambitions [1]. Energy Minister Miriam Dalli announced the initiative through the state-owned Interconnect Malta, calling for technical proposals and cost estimates from operators interested in producing renewable energy in North Africa and feeding it back to Malta's grid [1] [2].
The numbers tell a sobering story. At just 16.2% renewable electricity, Malta sits at the bottom of the EU pile—a position that stings when you consider the bloc's average sits at 47.3% [1]. While the island has made real progress, with renewables accounting for 17.2% of total energy in 2024 up from under 5% a decade ago, it's still falling short of its targets and not on track to hit the 2030 goal of 24-25% without serious acceleration [1].
The elephant in the room is solar. Malta's renewable electricity generation is almost entirely dependent on sun—97% comes from solar panels—leaving the island uniquely vulnerable to weather patterns and the time of year [1]. Without wind or hydroelectric power, fossil fuels still prop up the grid when the sun isn't shining.
A Lifeline, but with Serious Strings Attached
The North Africa proposal would help solve this vulnerability. The consultation targets 0.8 terawatt-hours of renewable energy annually—enough to cover roughly a quarter of Malta's current electricity demand—and would provide the steady, reliable "baseload" supply that solar alone cannot deliver [1].
Geographically and technically, the idea makes sense. North Africa's abundant solar resources could supply power to a grid that desperately needs it [1]. But the reality is far more complicated.
The first headache is infrastructure. Global demand for the high-voltage subsea cables needed to carry the power has created waiting times of up to seven years [1]. Then there's the geopolitical dimension: relying on a single undersea link to a politically unstable non-EU country for a quarter of the nation's power supply carries obvious security risks that can't be brushed aside [1].
The Broader Picture
The government has signalled it's pursuing other avenues too. A second interconnector project is progressing, and an offshore wind tender is under way [1]. These initiatives suggest officials aren't betting everything on North Africa.
But there's an urgency simmering beneath the announcements. Malta's population continues to grow, and new solar installations aren't keeping pace with rising demand [1]. Climate breakdown is accelerating, and the window for meaningful action is narrowing fast.
"Those who embrace change will benefit the most," Dalli said at a conference organised by the Climate Action Authority, emphasizing that sustainability must remain central to decision-making [1] [2].
The numbers, though, paint a picture of a country still wrestling to turn ambition into concrete results. The North Africa consultation represents an important exploration of where Malta might find the energy it desperately needs—but it also highlights just how constrained the island's options are as it races against climate realities and EU expectations.