News
Power Cut Fines
After months of frustration over power cuts, the Gibraltar Government has passed a new law giving the Electricity Authority the power to fine contractors up to £100,000 if they damage cables and cause blackouts. The Electricity Infrastructure (Damage) Bill 2025 was rushed through Parliament with cross-party support after several major outages were traced back to building works.
Why it matters:
If you run a local business, you already know how disruptive these power cuts can be. Shops, restaurants and offices have lost trading hours and stock, while online payments and customer systems grind to a halt. The new law is designed to stop that from happening again by holding contractors and their employers directly responsible for careless work near power lines.
What the Minister said:
Minister for Public Utilities Gemma Arias-Vasquez described the move as “decisive, proportionate and necessary,” adding:
“In recent months, Gibraltar has endured entirely avoidable power outages caused by carelessness near critical electrical infrastructure. These incidents were not the result of a lack of power generation, they were, unfortunately, the result of individuals failing to exercise the duty of care required when working around our electricity network.”
She said the law “provides a clear deterrent and establishes real consequences for those who damage our infrastructure,” confirming that she and Minister Cortes are reviewing the existing service clearance system to make sure it is “watertight, transparent and properly enforced.”
What to watch:
While the fines are significant, many in Gibraltar’s business community will be watching to see how well the new law is enforced over the coming weeks and months. Power reliability remains a key issue for business continuity, and consistent enforcement will be crucial if these measures are to make a real difference.
The bottom line:
The Government says the message is simple: Carelessness that leads to blackouts will no longer be tolerated. For local businesses, that could mean fewer interruptions and a more stable supply in the long run, something everyone can welcome.
The GFSB is taking action on behalf of members in respect of the latest power cuts – if you want to be included – get in touch gfsb@gfsb.gi
Source: HMGoG Press Release
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