The steam turbine forming part of the extension to the Delimara power station tripped earlier this afternoon during performance testing.

During one of the performance tests of the new plant, a motor-pump supplying hydraulic oil to the steam turbine governor (speed/load control valve) tripped. Following this trip, the system’s automatic protection activated, tripping the steam turbine.

The cause of the hydraulic pump motor trip has been investigated and identified as the overload relay in the hydraulic pump motor switchgear.

Corrective action has been taken and performance tests have now been resumed under the supervision of Enemalta and the specialist consultants, DNV KEMA.

The power station extension will be taken over when the Corporation, together with the third party independent consultants are satisfied with the outcome of the performance tests.