Three unrelated cable faults caused power cuts in various localities late yesterday, Enemalta has said.
Power outages were reported in several localities, fuelling frustration as air cooling systems were switched off in one of the hottest nights so far this year.
Readers reported the power cut in Pieta' Zurrieq, Ħamrun, Kirkop, Xgħajra, Birkirkara, San Ġwann, Sta Venera, St Paul's Bay and Swatar.
The power cuts appear to have lasted up to an hour and a half in some localities but it was shorter in others.
However a reader said that in Safi the power cuts lasted two and a half hours.
Enemalta explanation
Enemalta said three unrelated underground cable faults were registered in different parts of the country’s high voltage network, at different times.
The first fault caused service interruptions in parts of Bugibba and Xemxija.
Some time later a separate network difficulty was reported in parts of Swieqi.
A third cable fault caused service interruptions in parts of Hamrun, Msida, Kirkop, Safi and Zurrieq.
The Company’s Network Control Centre, assisted by engineers and technicians who were on standby in different areas, immediately intervened to reconnect the affected areas through alternative network connections. Most customers were gradually reconnected to the network in less than 90 minutes.
"Whilst network difficulties caused by underground cable faults cannot be eliminated, Enemalta has already invested over €80 million to reinforce the electricity distribution infrastructure’s redundancy by providing alternative connections that can be used to re-energise affected areas as quickly as possible," the company said.
As a result of this investment, average service interruptions have been reduced by over 60 per cent.
"This investment will continue in the coming years."
The company said it is also investing heavily in new network control and automation technologies, to continue reducing the duration of service interruptions caused by network emergencies and other difficulties.
The number of technical teams on duty 24/7 to provide a quicker response and minimise inconvenience to customers affected by service interruptions has been increased.