The Government has asked Macao’s electricity provider to submit a report on the power outage earlier today, examining its cause to ensure stability of service.

In a joint press conference held after the incident, Coordinator of the Office for the Development of the Energy Sector, Mr Arnaldo Ernesto dos Santos, said the incident happened at 10:55 am, caused by the malfunction of 110kV high-voltage equipment in Canal dos Patos substation, which subsequently led to the breakdown of equipment in four other substations in different locations, causing an extensive power outage across the Macao peninsula. Supply was fully restored by 12:20 pm.

The Government is requiring Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM) to submit a preliminary report in one week and an extensive report in one month.

In the press conference, representative of the Public Security Police Force said boundary-crossing remained normal during the incident and the Government had despatched more police officers on the streets to ensure public order was maintained.

The Fire Services Bureau had activated the emergency mechanism, including mobilising 150 officers and more vehicles to help in rescue work. It handled 75 cases of people trapped in elevator and helped 440 affected by the lift incidents.

The Health Bureau said the incident had only a minor effect on services of the emergence ward, and the operation of surgery wards and intensive care unit, as the hospital had an emergency power supply.

CEM has apologised for the incident and said the company would learn from it to further optimise the stability of power supply. It also disclosed that the last regular inspection of the Canal dos Patos substation was carried out last month.