Update 3 - Many localities briefly without electricity after Delimara power station fault

Large parts of Malta and Gozo were without electricity for some time this morning after a fault in the old part of the Delimara power station. Power went out at 8.45 a.m. The affected areas were parts of Birżebbuga, Marsaxlokk, Swatar, Msida, Birkirkara, San Gwann, Kappara, Swieqi, Zejtun, Marsascala, Ghaxaq, Marsa, Qormi, Zebbug, Paola, Fgura, Senglea, Cospicua, Pembroke, Mellieha, St Paul's Bay, Mgarr, areas near Rabat, St Julian's, Madliena, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Sliema and Gozo. A spokeswoman for the Energy Ministry said power started being restored after 45 minutes and all areas had power back by about 10 a.m. The spokeswoman said the engineers' priority was to restore power, and the cause of the fault is now being investigated. The old part of the Delimara power station (known as phase one) is to be closed down under the government's energy plan.