Contractor Damages Cable Causing Power Outage
The Government says a contractor damaged a high-voltage cable in the Bayside area this morning, affecting Devil’s Tower Road, Laguna Estate and surrounding areas. Power was fully restored by 10:08am. The Government says the contractor may face a financial penalty of up to £100,000.
A statement from the Government follows below:
HMGoG has been advised by the Gibraltar Electricity Authority that this morning's power outage was caused by a contractor damaging a high voltage cable in the Bayside area.
Devil's Tower Road, Laguna Estate and surrounding areas lost supply as a result. Power was fully restored by 10:08am.
The Electricity Infrastructure (Damage) Act 2025 came into operation on 7 November 2025. The Act created a specific offence of causing damage to electrical infrastructure where that damage results in a power outage to all or any part of Gibraltar. The offence is one of strict liability, meaning it is not necessary to prove that the damage was intended. Where the offence is committed by a person acting in the course of employment, the employer is liable in the same manner and to the same extent. The Gibraltar Electricity Authority may impose a financial penalty of up to £100,000, subject to the notice, representations and appeal procedure set out in the Act.
The Minister will be meeting the contractor to convey her disappointment on behalf of the Government and of all those affected by the outage.
The Government thanks the engineers and staff of the Gibraltar Electricity Authority who worked to restore supply and apologises to residents and businesses affected by the disruption.
The Minister for Health, Care and Business, who also has responsibility for the Gibraltar Electricity Authority, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, said: "Damage of this kind is avoidable, and I want to hear directly from the contractor how these works were planned and how they were carried out. Contractors who dig in Gibraltar are given detailed cable maps by the Authority, and they are expected to use them. They are also given on site instructions and expected to follow them. I was keen to pass the Electricity Infrastructure (Damage) Act 2025 precisely because damage of this kind has real consequences for families, for businesses and for essential services, and because those responsible should carry the cost rather than the public. Where the evidence supports it, those powers exist to be used."
