STELCO to seek compensation for repair works on cables damaged during road works

State Electric Company (STELCO) has decided to seek compensation to cover repair works on electricity cables damaged due to negligence in conducting road works.

The decision, announced by the state utility service on Wednesday, comes after Hulhumale’ experienced power outages twice over the last two weeks, both of which were found to have resulted from damage to electricity cables during construction work.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, STELCO noted that such incidents have increased in frequency, resulting in huge inconveniences for members of the general public.

The company said it has therefore decided to hold parties found to be negligent accountable.

“…This company has decided to have such parties cover the cost incurred until such issues are resolved and [electricity] services are restored,” said the company.

މި ކުންފުނީގެ ކަރަންޓު ވިއުގައިގައި ހިމެނޭ ކޭބަލްތަކަށް، މަގު ކޮނުމުގެ އެކި މަސައްކަތްތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން ގެއްލުންވެ، ކަރަންޓުގެ ހިދުމަތް މެދުކެނޑުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ރައްޔިތުންނަށް އެތަކެއް ތަކުލީފުތަކަކާއި ދަތިތަކަކާ ދަނީ ކުރިމަތިވަމުން. މިފަދަ ހާދިސާތައް ދުވަހެއް ދުވަހަކަށް…

— STELCO (@STELCOMALDIVES) September 30, 2026

STELCO said it made the decision to save citizens from the difficulties they face due to power disruptions, and to maintain the quality of utility services provided to them.

The company urged all parties involved in road digging works to act responsibly and avoid damaging utility cables.

The Maldivian capital, home to some 200,000 people, has been affected by frequent power outages in recent years. Many of the recent outages have been mostly attributed to damage to cables, with STELCO working quickly to fix the issues and restore power.

However, a total blackout in the capital on June 1, 2025 left tens of thousands of people who live there without power for nearly six hours.

STELCO has stated that it was working on boosting electricity supply to meet the growing demand in the populous capital.