The Delimara power station extension manufacturer BWSC accepted full responsibility for the damage on one of the plant’s turbines and would foot the bill, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

“The contractors have accepted responsibility for what has occurred and will not only repair the damaged turbine at their own expense but will also shoulder responsibility for the damages Malta incurred (due to the six-month delay in the takeover),” he told party supporters in Mellieħa.

The damage, which was revealed in Parliament by Labour MP Joe Mizzi, had been caused by a redundant filter that flew into the turbine, badly damaging it.

Dr Gonzi insisted that the issue was covered by the plant’s warranty and that the supplier, which he never mentioned by name, had accepted “full responsibility” for what had happened.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat told a party meeting at Mtarfa that the damage was worrying because the Government had reduced the country to being dependent on the decommissioned Marsa power station again, which was supposed to have shut down 15 years ago.

Dr Muscat said the situation could undermine the economy and also jobs because many companies were worried that they would not have security of energy supply.