Non-Residential Smart Meter Statistics: 2024
Linking electricity consumption to spatial information and business characteristics
Salient points
In 2024:
- non-residential electricity consumption was estimated at 1655.8 GWh, an increase of 4.5 per cent over the previous year.
- 95.8 per cent of the total non-residential electricity consumption was registered in the region of Malta while the remaining 4.2 per cent was registered in the Gozo and Comino region.
- most non-residential electricity was consumed by businesses in NACE sections C, I and G making up 53.1 per cent of the total consumption.
42.7 per cent of the total non-residential electricity was consumed by businesses employing more than 250 employees.
1.0 Introduction
The NSO compiles and processes official statistics on energy quantities in accordance with EU regulation 1099/2008. This regulation provides a common structure to ensure consistency and comparability in the collection and processing of energy data across all EU member states. The National Statistics Office obtains electricity consumption data from the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), which contains information on all non-residential, residential and domestic accounts registered in Malta. Data collection for the latest available reference year, that is reference year n-1, occurs annually in the months of August and September. Further data characteristics are also obtained from Automated Revenue Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), Enemalta plc. and the Water Services Corporation (WSC).
This detailed statistical insight focuses on the electricity consumed by all non-residential accounts and links smart meter microdata to spatial information through means of coordinate data. Moreover, such data is also linked to business characteristics, namely employment size class and NACE, using the internationally recognised classification NACE Rev. 2 to classify economic activity.
2.0 Results
During 2024, the total electricity consumed by Maltese businesses was estimated at 1655.8 GWh indicating an increase of 71.7 GWh (4.5 per cent) over 2023. As shown in Chart 1, non-residential electricity consumption has been on the increase since 2022.
Chart 1. Non-residential electricity consumption
Sources: Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), Automated Revenue Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), Enemalta plc. and Water Services Corporation (WSC).
In 2024, 95.8 per cent of the 1655.8 GWh was consumed in the region of Malta, amounting to a total of 1585.7 GWh. The remaining 4.2 per cent, amounting to 70.1 GWh was consumed in the region of Gozo and Comino. The highest amount of non-residential electricity consumption was recorded in the Northern Harbour district, in which 604.1 GWh was consumed, amounting to 36.5 per cent of the total non-residential electricity consumption (Table 1). This is further highlighted in Map 1 which illustrates the spread of non-residential electricity consumption for 2024 by grid level (1km²) and locality level (LAU 2).
Table 1. Non-residential electricity consumption in GWh by region (NUTS 3), district (LAU 1) and year
| Year | National | MALTA | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUTS 3 | Malta | Gozo and Comino | |||||||
| LAU 1 | Southern Harbour | Northern Harbour | South Eastern | Western | Northern | Gozo and Comino | |||
| 2022 | 1,561.8 | 1,504.4 | 276.1 | 581.9 | 361.0 | 103.5 | 181.9 | 57.4 | |
| 2023 | 1,584.1 | 1,517.1 | 288.3 | 583.4 | 359.7 | 98.1 | 187.6 | 67.0 | |
| 2024 | 1,655.8 | 1,585.7 | 300.3 | 604.1 | 372.2 | 106.6 | 202.5 | 70.1 |
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.
Sources: Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), Automated Revenue Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), Enemalta plc. and Water Services Corporation (WSC).
Map 1. Total non-residential electricity consumption by grid level (1km²) and locality level (LAU 2)
Notes:
1. Each grid cell represents an area of 1km².
2. Each grid cell shows the total non-residential electricity consumption recorded in that particular area. Grid cells containing less than three electricity meters are omitted.
3. Grids with consumption 0 GWh indicate low consumption; smaller than 0.05 GWh.
The NACE section which reported the highest amount of electricity consumption was NACE section C, representing the ‘Manufacturing’ industry. This amounted to 461.7 GWh or 27.9 per cent of the total electricity consumed by Maltese businesses. This was followed by NACE sections I and G respectively, representing ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ and ‘Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’. Table 2 shows the total non-residential electricity consumption for 2024 split by district and NACE section. These three NACE sections amounted to a total of 53.1 per cent of the total non-residential electricity consumption. When compared to 2023, the electricity consumption registered in NACE sections C, I and G increased by 1.7 per cent, 6.6 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively.
Table 2. Non-residential electricity consumption in GWh by district (LAU 1) and NACE section
| NACE section | National | MALTA | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUTS 3 | Malta | Gozo and Comino | |||||||
| LAU 1 | Southern Harbour | Northern Harbour | South Eastern | Western | Northern | Gozo and Comino | |||
| A | 17.7 | 15.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 2.5 | |
| B | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| C | 461.7 | 449.9 | 85.1 | 89.5 | 256.1 | 7.1 | 12.2 | 11.8 | |
| D | 4.3 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| E | 166.4 | 156.2 | 23.1 | 79.2 | 4.1 | 33.0 | 16.8 | 10.2 | |
| F | 32.0 | 29.7 | 4.7 | 13.3 | 1.8 | 6.9 | 3.0 | 2.3 | |
| G | 178.8 | 169.1 | 31.0 | 74.8 | 17.5 | 18.4 | 27.4 | 9.7 | |
| H | 93.8 | 92.5 | 37.5 | 2.7 | 49.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | |
| I | 238.4 | 222.6 | 28.9 | 91.0 | 11.2 | 5.7 | 85.9 | 15.8 | |
| J | 55.2 | 53.8 | 11.4 | 29.4 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 1.4 | |
| K | 31.1 | 30.7 | 6.0 | 20.2 | 0.2 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | |
| L | 121.1 | 117.1 | 17.2 | 69.7 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 23.1 | 4.0 | |
| M | 40.3 | 39.7 | 8.9 | 22.4 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | |
| N | 17.0 | 16.3 | 2.4 | 6.5 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.7 | |
| O | 29.9 | 28.4 | 13.4 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.5 | |
| P | 22.1 | 20.4 | 4.7 | 13.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 | |
| Q | 94.0 | 89.6 | 6.8 | 68.5 | 3.8 | 5.7 | 4.9 | 4.4 | |
| R | 32.9 | 32.4 | 12.3 | 11.6 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 5.3 | 0.6 | |
| S | 16.0 | 14.9 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.1 | |
| T+U | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Total | 1,655.8 | 1,585.7 | 300.3 | 604.1 | 372.2 | 106.6 | 202.5 | 70.1 |
1. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
2. NACE sections T and U were merged together due to confidentiality issues.
Sources: Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), Automated Revenue Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), Enemalta plc. and Water Services Corporation (WSC).
Chart 2 compares the percentage non-residential electricity consumption recorded in the Malta region with that recorded in the Gozo and Comino region in 2024 by industry at NACE Rev 2 A*11.
Chart 2. Percentage non-residential electricity consumption by industry A*11 and region (NUTS 3)
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.
Map 2 shows the total non-residential electricity consumption for 2024 by industry at NACE Rev 2 A*10.
Map 2. Non-residential electricity consumption by industry at NACE Rev 2 A*10 using 1km² grids
Notes:
1. Each grid cell represents an area of 1km².
2. Grid cells containing less than three electricity meters are omitted. Percentages shown in the donut reflect the remaining counts after eliminating such grids.
3. Grids with consumption 0 GWh indicate low consumption; smaller than 0.05 GWh.
When analysing the ‘Manufacturing’ industry (NACE section C) by district in Table 2, the South Eastern district registered the highest consumption, at 256.1 GWh, or 55.5 per cent of the total electricity consumed in this industry. Map 3 highlights the spread of non-residential electricity in the ‘Manufacturing’ industry, that is, the NACE section which recorded the highest electricity consumption in 2024, on 1km² grid cells split further by NACE division. Moreover, the ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ industry (NACE section I) and the ‘Wholsesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ industry (NACE section G), registered the highest consumption in the Northern Harbour region with 91.0 GWh and 74.8 GWh respectively.
Map 3. Non-residential electricity consumption in the 'Manufacturing' industry split by NACE division
Notes:
1. Each grid cell represents an area of 1km².
2. Grid cells containing less than three electricity meters are omitted.
3. Grids with consumption 0 GWh indicate low consumption; smaller than 0.05 GWh.
4. The map allows the user to view the spread of non-residential consumption for divisions 10-17, 18-25 and 26-33 separately.
Analysing further the NACE section with the highest consumption, Table 3 shows the consumption rate across divisions 10 to 33 within the ‘Manufacturing’ industry. Within NACE section C, the ‘Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products’ (division 26) recorded the highest share of non-residential electricity consumption at 20.2 per cent, followed by the ‘Manufacture of food products’ (division 10) at 11.4 per cent.
Table 3. Share of consumption by division in the 'Manufacturing' industry (NACE section C)
| Division | Consumption Share (%) |
|---|---|
| 10: Manufacture of food products | 11.4 |
| 11: Manufacture of beverages | 5.1 |
| 12: Manufacture of tobacco products | 0.0 |
| 13: Manufacture of textiles | 4.6 |
| 14: Manufacture of wearing apparel | 0.2 |
| 15: Manufacture of leather and related products | 0.0 |
| 16: Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials | 0.3 |
| 17: Manufacture of paper and paper products | 0.9 |
| 18: Printing and reproduction of recorded media | 7.8 |
| 19: Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products | 0.0 |
| 20: Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products | 4.4 |
| 21: Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations | 9.0 |
| 22: Manufacture of rubber and plastic products | 10.0 |
| 23: Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products | 2.6 |
| 24: Manufacture of basic metals | 0.0 |
| 25: Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment | 1.4 |
| 26: Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products | 20.2 |
| 27: Manufacture of electrical equipment | 0.5 |
| 28: Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. | 0.8 |
| 29: Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers | 4.5 |
| 30: Manufacture of other transport equipment | 0.0 |
| 31: Manufacture of furniture | 1.6 |
| 32: Other manufacturing | 9.0 |
| 33: Repair and installation of machinery and equipment | 5.7 |
| Total | 100.0 |
With regard to the ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ industry (NACE section I), which recorded the second highest amount of non-residential electricity consumption, the ‘Accommodation’ industry (division 55) accounted to a share of 68.5 per cent while the ‘Food and beverage service activities’ industry (division 56) accounted to the remaining 31.5 per cent of the consumption in this section.
Chart 3. Share of consumption by division in the 'Accommodation and food service activities' industry (NACE section I)
71.6 per cent of the electricity consumption recorded in the ‘Wholsesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ industry (NACE section G) was consumed in the ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ industry (division 47). Chart 4 continues to illustrate that another 23.2 per cent of the consumption in this industry was consumed by businesses in ‘Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ (division 46), while the remaining 5.2 per cent related to the ‘Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ industry (division 45).
Chart 4. Share of consumption by division in the 'Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles' industry (NACE section G)
Table 4 shows the total non-residential electricity consumption split according to the number of employees within each business. In 2024, 42.7 per cent or 706.3 GWh of the total consumption were consumed by businesses employing 250 or more employees. This indicates an increase of 3.8 per cent over the consumption recorded in this group in 2023. Businesses employing between 10 and 49 employees recorded the lowest amount of electricity consumption amounting to 241.8 GWh in 2024.
Table 4. Non-residential electricity consumption in GWh by size class and year
| Size Class | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 0-9 | 10-49 | 50-249 | 250+ | TOTAL |
| 2022 | 385.4 | 201.8 | 291.8 | 682.9 | 1,561.8 |
| 2023 | 378.5 | 227.2 | 298.0 | 680.4 | 1,584.1 |
| 2024 | 383.2 | 241.8 | 324.5 | 706.3 | 1,655.8 |
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.
Sources: Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), Automated Revenue Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), Enemalta plc. and Water Services Corporation (WSC).
Currently, the National Statistics Office has access to annual smart meter microdata. Further work is underway to obtain higher frequency datasets to extend the same analyses and enable more detailed results on a quarterly and monthly basis.
3.0 Methodology
- Definition: Gigawatt-hour (GWh) is equal to 1,000 megawatts or one billion (1,000,000,000) watts of electricity produced by a power plant that runs continuously for one hour.
- Data for 2023-2024 is subject to revision.
- The NSO has access to smart meter data at account level, sourced by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) dating back to reference year 2022. An algorithm using R Studio was developed in order to carry out the necessary workings to obtain the results presented in this insight.
- Non-residential smart meter microdata was linked with NSO’s Statistical Business Register to be able to obtain results by NACE sections.
- Access to coordinate data by account provided by Enemalta plc. and the Water Services Corporation (WSC) allowed for the standardisation of localities as well as the visual production of results through Maps 1-3. In the absence of coordinate data, address data provided by the Automated Revenue and Management Services Ltd. (ARMS), was used to extract coordinates using an internal spatial point data layer.
- The total figures presented in Table 1 correspond to the sum of the non-residential data provided by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), after deducting the amounts associated with street-lighting accounts.
- This statistical insight uses the internationally recognised classification, NACE Rev. 2 in order to classify economic activity according to the guidelines provided by Eurostat which can be obtained from the following link.
- More information relating to the division of localities within districts can be obtained from the following link.
4.0 Visualisation
