The damage to the new Delimara power station extension will negatively impact economic growth and competitiveness, according to Labour MP Charles Mangion.

He said the recent damage to the new turbine proved Labour right when it insisted on staying away from prototype technology.

In a statement, Dr Mangion said it also justified the questions raised when the Government changed its policy from an extension based on gas to one based on heavy fuel oil that harmed people’s health.

He said it was shameful that taxpayers had to shoulder the €200 million debt for a power plant that was faulty, noting that the country suffered 1,100 power cuts over the past 18 months, impacting the manufacturing industry and tourism, among others.

In reaction, the Nationalist Party denied that the technology chosen was a prototype.

It said that, although the extension would run on the same fuel oil used at the Delimara plant, the extension had an abatement system that reduced emissions. The new plant can run on gas once upgraded.