Updated 10pm

Large parts of Malta and Gozo were hit by a power cut on Saturday evening. 

Power outages were reported in Birkirkara, Iklin, Naxxar, San Ġwann, Sliema, Żebbuġ and parts of Gozo, among several others, around 7.30pm. 

Enemalta said on Facebook the outage was caused by damage to the interconnector and that it was working to address the fault.

In a statement later in the evening at 9.50pm, said the fault occurred on the Sicilian side. Although it said the cause was not yet clear, it noted that the area in question was experiencing severe weather conditions.

"This led to the interruption of the electricity supply. The local distribution system
allows for an automatic system which closes down the electricity supply (load
shedding) to allow for the electrical generating systems in Delimara from being
damaged," the company said.

"As a result, as soon as the electricity supply was interrupted, and ensuring that
no damage had been impacted on the electrical systems dependant on gas,
Enemalta’s technicians increased the generation of electricity and within eight
minutes electricity was once again being distributed on the network. It took a total of 40 minutes for all consumers to experience electricity."  

Power started being gradually restored to localities from around 8pm, although other areas remained in the dark as of 8.30pm. 

Saturday's power cut came almost one year to the day of another major outage: that of November 26, 2019, when the country was left without electricity for hours on a day marked by political turmoil. 

That power cut had also been attributed to damage to the interconnector, with Enemalta subsequently saying a fault on the Sicily side of the cable had been to blame. 

More to follow.