No permit for Swieqi temporary generator

A noisy generator supplying power to the machinery excavating a tunnel for the Malta-Sicily interconnector in the quiet neighbourhood in Swieqi is not covered by a MEPA permit.

This week, a number of Swieqi residents had to endure sleepless nights after Polidano Group, the contractor engaged by Enemalta to dig the underground distribution tunnels to link the subsea cable landing at Bahar ic-Caghaq to the Distribution Centre in Kappara, parked a generator a few metres away from the new police station and civic centre.

Speaking to MaltaToday, an Enemalta spokesperson explained that the generator will “only be in use for a maximum of eight weeks”.

When asked whether the generator is covered by MEPA permits, the spokesperson said he was not aware whether the contractor had applied for a MEPA permit.

“However,” he said rather lamely, “since the generator is temporary and is servicing the excavation works it might not need a permit.”

Questions sent to MEPA on whether the authority issued any permits remained unanswered, but MEPA’s online resources show that no application was filed.

In comments to MaltaToday, Swieqi’s deputy mayor, Justin Fenech, said “Enemalta need to get their act together and deal with this issue. It is unfair that residents are requested to obtain permits for any construction-related vehicles or equipment and then Enemalta comes along and sets up a generator without informing the council or residents.”

He noted that residents in the immediate area could not open their windows, though it is summer, due to the noise, smell and exhaust.

“No one wants such pollution outside their front door, especially if it’s being produced all day and sometimes even throughout the night. I really wonder if the people responsible at Enemalta would find this acceptable were it their family and children living next door.” 

Residents reported that over the past week, the generator was in use as early as 6:30am and on occasion, was still working after 10pm.

But on Friday afternoon, the generator was switched off, with a resident writing on the Swieqi Residents Facebook page “At last. We can live in peace, hopefully that noise will not return. Thanks to all that helped and gave their input.”

Enemalta said that the generator is being used by Enemalta’s contractor to energise the machinery that is excavating the final stretch of the tunnels.

“Excavation works are expected to be completed within eight weeks, depending on the type of rock found in the tunnel’s path. Unfortunately, due to the machinery’s technical requirements, the generator cannot be moved to another location until these works are completed.”

Moreover, he said that Enemalta noted the local council’s concerns and asked the contractor to ensure that the generator’s emissions are monitored and reduced as much as possible.

Following the newspaper’s queries, Enemalta also asked the contractor not to carry out excavation works at night.

While understanding the residents’ legitimate complaints, the state utility’s spokesperson said that since the generator could not be placed inside the tunnels for safety reasons, and electricity cables could not be used because of the long distances involved, the contractor had no choice but to place the generator on a privately owned stretch of land over the excavations.

“Enemalta regrets any inconvenience caused. We reiterate our commitment to continue working to consolidate electricity generation and distribution services, in the best interest of our customers,” he said.