Updated | Fault at Marsa power station causes explosion

Fault at distribution centre causes explosion and leads to power cut to 55% of the island.

18 January 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Black smoke coming out of the Marsa power station.

At around 3:30pm, during reinforcing works being done at the Marsa South Distribution Centre, a fault occurred which led to an explosion in the distribution switchgear.

In a statement, Enemalta said that no one was injured during this incident but this caused the two units at Marsa Power Station - turbine 6 and turbine 7 - together with the Steam Units and Gas Turbine at Delimara Power Station to trip.

"The only generating units that didn't suffer a trip were the diesel engines at the Delimara extension," Enemalta said.

As a result of this, 55% of the island suffered a power cut.

Currently Enemalta engineers are starting up the various units and have already started restoring supply.

Investigations will be held to determine the cause of the explosion.