'Cable fault' caused Monday's power cut

Power cuts around the island on Monday night resulted from a cable fault at a feeder from the Marsa power station to the Hal Far distribution centre, Enemalta said yesterday. There was a voltage surge felt throughout the system which caused power outages in several towns and villages.

The fault, which occurred close to the power station, ignited some dry grass which was extinguished by the Enemalta Fire Section and the Civil Protection Department.

The fault also damaged some small control cables close by, which led to the malfunction of several protection devices, causing further power cuts, particularly in Sta Venera, Birkirkara, Qormi and neighbouring towns, and in Paceville, Pembroke, Ta' Giorni and Swieqi. 

Enemalta engineers were dispatched to the various locations to restore the power supply. By 9 p.m. electricity was restored in several of the towns and fully restored by 11 p.m.