For over a decade, Powerezi has built a strong foundation in renewable energy, delivering successful photovoltaic projects and helping Vassallo Group establish its credentials in sustainable and green electricity. Now, under the leadership of CEO Alex Tranter, Powerezi is entering what he describes as its most exciting phase yet – a “transformative” new era of growth and diversification built on three pillars: energy, water and technology, making it the new “activity engine” for Vassallo Group.
“Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been fully focused on Powerezi to grow a renewables-focused initiative into ‘renewables plus plus’ venture, a broader vision that goes beyond electricity generation to address an evolving infrastructural need to ensure all systems are integrated, sustainable and future proof,” Alex explains. The vision of what he dubs “Powerezi version 2.0” is a fusion of renewable energy, a focus on Malta’s water scarcity, and a strong digital infrastructure to create “a base for smarter, connected solutions”.
Energy remains the foundation of Powerezi’s work, but the company is now stepping into larger-scale energy infrastructure projects. Alongside energy, water is also becoming a second strategic pillar. Powerezi is actively getting involved in water treatment and recycling technologies, including reverse osmosis for seawater and advanced treatment of municipal wastewater. In fact, two milestones have already been achieved: Powerezi has spearheaded the creation of two joint ventures, ‘PowerFix JV’ and ‘AquaNova JV’, which won two very important national infrastructure projects in the energy and water treatment sectors.
As a result of Powerezi’s ability to link up with leading international technology suppliers and strategic partners, PowerFix JV will supply and install a €5.7 million variable shunt reactor for the Magħtab interconnector terminal station, which connects Malta to the Sicilian grid. This project is expected to take 18 months to be completed. Aquanova JV will design, build, test and commission a €32.3 million upgrade of the Ċumnija WasteWater Treatment Plant in Mellieħa, which is expected to take 33 months to complete.
“These landmark grid-scale and wastewater treatment projects mark the beginning of Powerezi’s mission to help deliver truly transformative infrastructure; the kind of projects that will define Vassallo Group’s legacy,” says Alex.
The third pillar, technology, is the glue that connects them. “All energy and water infrastructure today needs to be well controlled, monitored and connected into a future-proof eco-system. By integrating smart systems, we can ensure these solutions are not just sustainable, but also clean and secure,” he adds.
Alex sees Powerezi as an innovation engine within the Vassallo Group, creating fresh synergies and opportunities that extend beyond its immediate projects. “We’re not just delivering infrastructure. We’re opening doors to new project opportunities with Vassallo Builders and other Group companies, since many of these projects involve complex engineering and civil works.”
He also draws parallels with earlier transformations in the Group’s history. “Just as CareMalta once represented a bold new step beyond construction, Powerezi is doing the same in energy, water and technology. These are critical economic sectors, and by entering them, we are not only strengthening our Group’s portfolio but also contributing to Malta’s sustainable future.”
For Alex, leading Powerezi is a full-circle moment and the culmination of a career that has spanned multiple industries within the Group – from healthcare to catering – as well as international experience in large-scale solar ground mount development with SunPower… Not to mention his five-year term as Enemalta’s non-executive Chairman, which taught him “national scale responsibilities, governance and long-term planning”.
He calculated that he has been with Vassallo Group for “over 40 per cent of its 80-year history” occupying various Csuite roles. The roadmap is ambitious. Over the next two years, Powerezi expects to deliver tangible results across its three pillars, from energy grid infrastructure to new water and waste initiatives. “It’s one thing to talk about vision,” he says. “But now it’s time to see it materialise… to create reference projects that demonstrate
what Powerezi 2.0 really means.”
“The next decade will be transformative as we aim to leave the Group with a more sustainable and intelligent ecosystem which hopefully will be a legacy worth leaving.”