First 30 seconds: is it just you?
Check your consumer unit (the fuse box). If a switch has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, stop and call an electrician, because something on that circuit is faulty. If the fuse box looks normal, glance outside: neighbours' lights, shop signs, street lamps. If the street is dark too, it is a supply cut, not your wiring.
The fastest way to confirm is the live outage map, which shows what other people in your town are reporting right now, down to street level.
First 5 minutes: report it and protect your appliances
- Report the fault to Enemalta on 8000 2224 (free, 24/7). Crowd maps show the picture, but only an official report creates a job ticket. All numbers are in the Enemalta contacts guide.
- Unplug sensitive electronics. TVs, computers, routers, aircon units. Restoration surges are what kill equipment, not the cut itself.
- Leave one light switched on so you know the moment power returns.
- Report it on the community map too, two taps on bladawl.com/report. Your report helps neighbours, relatives checking from abroad, and anyone deciding whether to head to a cafe with aircon.
First hour: fridge, water, people
- Keep the fridge and freezer shut. Closed, a fridge holds for about 4 hours, a full freezer for up to 48. The full rules are in the food safety guide.
- Fill some water bottles. Buildings with pump-fed tanks can lose water pressure during longer cuts.
- Check on vulnerable neighbours, especially older people living alone, anyone on powered medical equipment, and homes with babies. In a heatwave this is the step that saves lives, and there is a dedicated heat safety guide for it.
- Take the stairs if the power is flickering. If someone is stuck in a lift, call 112.
Several hours in
- Charge phones and power banks in the car or at a friend's place, and switch phones to low power mode early.
- If the heat is building, move to an air-conditioned public space. The cool spots directory lists malls, libraries, pools and beaches across Malta and Gozo, most of them free.
- If the cut is only your property and you need help fast, the electrician directory lists 40 services with verified numbers, 23 of them advertising 24/7 call-out.
- When power returns, tap Power is back on the map. It clears your town for everyone and tells neighbours still in the dark that restoration is moving.
Common questions
Who do I call when the power goes out in Malta?
Call Enemalta's free 24/7 fault line on 8000 2224. You can also report through servizz.gov on 153 or Enemalta's online form. For life-threatening emergencies such as downed cables, call 112.
How do I know if the power cut is only my house?
Check your consumer unit for a tripped switch, then look at whether neighbours or street lights have power. The live map at bladawl.com shows what other people in your town are reporting in real time.
How long will food last in the fridge during a power cut?
Kept closed, a fridge stays safe for about 4 hours and a full freezer for up to 48 hours (24 if half full). Throw away meat, fish, dairy and cooked leftovers that spend more than 4 hours above 4°C.
Should I unplug appliances during a power cut?
Yes. Power can return with a surge that damages TVs, routers, aircon units and computers. Unplug sensitive electronics and leave one light switched on so you know the moment supply returns.