The Government has stressed that, in view of the recent power outages, the latest of which was this morning, the issue is “one of stability in the network and not of generating capacity.” Gibraltar has, it says, “over capacity thanks to the generators that were brought in recently by the Government.”

According to the Government, the problems being experienced now arise principally as a result of the fire at Waterport Power Station having damaged equipment that played a central role in ensuring stability across the grid. Without that equipment, any surge in demand can make the network trip.

The Government says it is doing “everything possible” to resolve the problem in the short term and is “as frustrated as everyone else” with the existing situation.

The long-term solution to ensuring a stable supply of electricity, says the Government, lies in the new power station, “which is why it was so important to get that project right, and in the replacement of the creaking infrastructure all over Gibraltar which has already commenced and continues.”

A statement from Number 6 conlcudes: “There is nothing that can or could have been done which the Government has not or is not doing to end the problem of power cuts in the best way possible for our Community. Electricity is essential for modern living and business and this is therefore the Government's top priority.”