Two of the precipitators at the Marsa power station have developed faults and are being repaired, Mepa said this afternoon.

The precipitators collect dust generated by the fuel combustion process, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Their switching off for some weeks a few months ago was blamed by some quarters for the black dust over Fgura and other localities.

Mepa said that Enemalta had reported that one of the six zones comprising the electrostatic precipitator on boiler No 8 at Marsa developed an internal fault and went out of service.

Enemalta assured Mepa that the remaining five zones of the precipitator were working normally and emissions from the boiler remained well within permitted limits.

The faulty zone will be repaired at the earliest opportunity, load and other commitments permitting.

The precipitator corresponding to Boiler 6 is being repaired. Boiler 6 was not in operation and will not be used until these repairs are affected.

Mepa said it was monitoring the situation and would provide updates as available.

The Marsa Power Station had been given a 20,000 hours derogation by the EU before it is closed down.

The derogation started on January 1, 2008.