The interconnector has been fixed, Energy Minister Michael Farrugia told The Malta Independent this morning, and a spokesperson for his ministry later confirmed that it has become operational.

Speaking with this newsroom, the minister said that the interconnector was placed back on the seabed , and it was loaded into the system later on in the day, at around 4.30p.m.

The minister said that on 23 December the interconnector was pulled by an anchor and suffered damage.

In such a situation, the interconnector does not simply cut, but the internal wires could also be damaged, he said. First a ship was sent to move the interconnector from under the seabed, as it was hidden in a canal. The second ship's job was to find the damaged part of the interconnector and to identify the extent of the damage.

"When one lifts the interconnector onto the ship, one begins cutting into the damaged section until you find the sections where all is ok," the minister said.

He said that the damaged part was removed and the spare cable brought from Malta was then attached. We said last December that the process was expected to take a minimum of six months. Enemalta officials did a very good job and in under three months, the work was complete. If it weren't for the bad weather a couple of weeks ago, the interconnector would have been ready on 1 March.

"Unfortunately, when we fixed the Maltese side we then saw two weeks of rough seas and the process had to be suspended. One needs around 4-5 days of calm sea to operate," he said. 

The process completed, and yesterday the interconnector was placed on the seabed. A SOAK test was undertaken, lasting around 12 hours.

"Without an interconnector we had enough supply, and with it we will have a choice in terms of where to purchase energy."

Asked whether the country can expect any power cuts, as had happened when the interconnector was damaged, while the interconnector was to be loaded into the system, he said that Enemalta is prepared for the connection and said that buying energy from the different sources is something Enemalta always does and is prepared, adding that there should not be any power cuts.

Given the measures the government has taken in terms of the Coronavirus, given that more people will be staying home rather than gathering in schools for example, he was asked whether it is expected that energy consumption will rise. The minister said that this would depend on whether industry and shops will open for example. "It is difficult to say what the demand will be. What is for sure is that we have more than enough supply to meet any demand. Even without the interconnector we had enough supply."

He stressed that government work is still ongoing and has not stopped due to the virus. He thanked the Enemalta employees who are working in Sicily, and thanked them for, in spite of the recommendation for people not to fly to Italy, they stayed on to ensure that the Interconnector will be able to supply the country.

The minister was asked what will happen in terms of power station operation as well as water supply if the situation does worsen in the country. He said that he has already held meetings on this issue over the past weeks. The minister said he has worked to ensure that both Enemalta and the Waterservices Corporation are prepared for any eventuality. "Some people will be able to work remotely, while others will be on standby at home. Others will definitely have to stay for a longer period at work to assure the provision of electricity and the supply of water."

He said that in case of maintenance, people would be on standby at home if things worsen.