Calling for an explanation about Friday's power cut does not reduce the government's responsibility, according to Alternattiva Demokratika.

Party chairman Michael Brig-uglio questioned whether one should expect the situation to worsen in summer when consumption rises.

He said the Marsa power station had reached its end and was literally falling to bits. The statement came in response to the announcement by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech on Saturday saying that he expected Enemalta to investigate the cause of the nationwide blackout and provide the guaranteed service that everyone expected. The power cut, which lasted several hours, was the fourth such incident in 12 months - a situation which Mr Fenech described as "unacceptable".

But Mr Briguglio insisted that this was not enough and slammed the government for its lack of planning, saying it looked like more power cuts could be expected as a result.

He said that, despite the many promises about the closure of the Marsa power station, it was still in operation regardless of the pollution it emitted.