STELCO has decided to take compensation from private companies if their excavation work results in damages to electricity cables.

Electricity cable damage due to excavation during construction work has seen an increase in power outages, with a social media post from STELCO today reading that the public has to face many difficulties because of it.

With such incidents increasing, STELCO has decided to take the cost of electricity supply from the company that damages cables due to their negligence.

STELCO said they decided to bring about this change in order to save the public from the difficulties that come with it and to provide services in a sustainable manner.

"We appeal to all parties that conduct excavation work to plan their efforts in a responsible manner so that it does not damage this company's electricity network," wrote STELCO on social media.

"Due to power outages that occur caused by damages to electricity cables under this company's electricity network, the public continues to face many difficulties. Such incidents have been occurring time and time again," posted STELCO on X.

Over the course of the past week, an electricity cable in Hulhumale' Phase 1 had been cut, with the area experiencing electricity outages over two days.

STELCO's media official told Mihaaru News that STELCO's system shows an earth fault when an electricity cable is severed. The system has been designed to automatically cut the power for the safety of the public.

"From that point on, we will begin mapping for the area and which issue is present. After identification, it will take time to bring the power back up. We will work to reroute electricity through another station but in situations where that is not possible, it tends to take time," said the official.