THE HISTORY:
Being described as “one of Malta’s most impressive sites of industrial archaeology” is no easy feat, but this is no ordinary power station.
Built under the mountains of the former Crown Colony is a unique power plant and happens to house six of the twelve diesel engines of its kind in the world. Before the Second World War, this plant was built to power British operations to protect the country against Nazi and Fascist Italian attacks. The island itself was very important to the Allies during the war, as it served as a military fortress between Gibraltar and Egypt and in peacetime was a waystation along the British trade route to the Suez Canal.
It powered military operations for the British defence and was built underground to prevent Nazi bombing from cutting power to the military. Throughout the Siege of Malta, the allies prevailed and still used fewer than half the number of military aircraft that Germany and Italy used.
After the war, the station was handed back to Enemalta, the only Maltese energy company, and it continued powering the country until closure in 1992.
Following closure, it was controversially used as storage for 1,200 cubic metres of asbestos which was subsequently removed following the Times of Malta reporting it.
THE EXPLORE:
This power station is like no other place I have ever explored. The underground, unpowered nature of the site awards it a special level of gravitas not achieved by other power plants. The journey from arrival to entrance was a mission in itself, with @UrbandonedTeam entering prior to @jtza Alex and me, and the group of us entering later through a ground floor entrance found by Alistair.
From start to finish this place was mission. Its prior use as asbestos storage meant we all took extra precautions by gearing up for the first time ever in full hazmat suits and masks. We may like to take our chances and flip the metaphorical coin in most buildings, but this was not a place we intended to mess around in.
Being inside was like being in a different realm. Everything being written in English, due to Malta’s close ties to the UK, made it feel almost like a British power station but with a totally unique twist. The indescribably close relationship between the UK and Malta was evident throughout the site, from basic examples such as all signs being written in English to the control room featuring a Crown adorned at the centre. The emblem of the British Crown on the control room was the first thing we all collectively exclaimed at when first entering the room, as it really exemplified the historical relevance of the power station, particularly since Malta’s independence in 1964.
The entire site was pitch black without torches.
The Maltese power station featured Parsons turbines.
This multi-coloured control panel showed a map of the power station and all of its relevant assisting buildings.
The diesel generators were six of twelve in the world.
There were remnants of asbestos storage all throughout the station.
The control room featured the British Crown at its centre, demonstrating the country’s allegiance to King George VI throughout WW2, fought by the British for the Maltese.
The panels all being black and brown showed the dated nature of the underground plant.
A map of the island was drawn on the wall of the room adjoining the control room.
Completing this power station was like nothing I’d ever done before. From the use of hazmat suits to the sheer prospect of an underground power plant, it oozed singularity and difference from any other location of its classification. The entire undertaking was insane from start to finish and a huge shout-out to everyone involved for making this explore so memorable, in particular @UrbandonedTeam.
Being described as “one of Malta’s most impressive sites of industrial archaeology” is no easy feat, but this is no ordinary power station.
Built under the mountains of the former Crown Colony is a unique power plant and happens to house six of the twelve diesel engines of its kind in the world. Before the Second World War, this plant was built to power British operations to protect the country against Nazi and Fascist Italian attacks. The island itself was very important to the Allies during the war, as it served as a military fortress between Gibraltar and Egypt and in peacetime was a waystation along the British trade route to the Suez Canal.
It powered military operations for the British defence and was built underground to prevent Nazi bombing from cutting power to the military. Throughout the Siege of Malta, the allies prevailed and still used fewer than half the number of military aircraft that Germany and Italy used.
After the war, the station was handed back to Enemalta, the only Maltese energy company, and it continued powering the country until closure in 1992.
Following closure, it was controversially used as storage for 1,200 cubic metres of asbestos which was subsequently removed following the Times of Malta reporting it.
THE EXPLORE:
This power station is like no other place I have ever explored. The underground, unpowered nature of the site awards it a special level of gravitas not achieved by other power plants. The journey from arrival to entrance was a mission in itself, with @UrbandonedTeam entering prior to @jtza Alex and me, and the group of us entering later through a ground floor entrance found by Alistair.
From start to finish this place was mission. Its prior use as asbestos storage meant we all took extra precautions by gearing up for the first time ever in full hazmat suits and masks. We may like to take our chances and flip the metaphorical coin in most buildings, but this was not a place we intended to mess around in.
Being inside was like being in a different realm. Everything being written in English, due to Malta’s close ties to the UK, made it feel almost like a British power station but with a totally unique twist. The indescribably close relationship between the UK and Malta was evident throughout the site, from basic examples such as all signs being written in English to the control room featuring a Crown adorned at the centre. The emblem of the British Crown on the control room was the first thing we all collectively exclaimed at when first entering the room, as it really exemplified the historical relevance of the power station, particularly since Malta’s independence in 1964.
The entire site was pitch black without torches.
The Maltese power station featured Parsons turbines.
This multi-coloured control panel showed a map of the power station and all of its relevant assisting buildings.
The diesel generators were six of twelve in the world.
There were remnants of asbestos storage all throughout the station.
The control room featured the British Crown at its centre, demonstrating the country’s allegiance to King George VI throughout WW2, fought by the British for the Maltese.
The panels all being black and brown showed the dated nature of the underground plant.
A map of the island was drawn on the wall of the room adjoining the control room.
Completing this power station was like nothing I’d ever done before. From the use of hazmat suits to the sheer prospect of an underground power plant, it oozed singularity and difference from any other location of its classification. The entire undertaking was insane from start to finish and a huge shout-out to everyone involved for making this explore so memorable, in particular @UrbandonedTeam.
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