Coromandel update from PowerCo

Field crews are working to restore power to customers in Tauranga and South Waikato.

High winds have brought trees down across overhead lines on Powerco’s electricity network, causing wide-spread power cuts.

Powerco Acting Electricity Operations Manager Phil Marsh said a total of 30,000 customers had lost power overnight and today. Supply had been restored to around 15,000 of these properties.

He said the hardest hit areas were in Coromandel and Thames. Line patrols had given a clearer picture of the damage sustained in the storm.

“Most of the damage has been caused by trees falling across lines.”

He said extra resources had been brought into the affected areas to help restore supply as quickly and safety as possible.

“Our first priority is making the network safe. The high number of damaged lines mean there are still many down and they must be treated as live at all times.

“Stay away from any downed power lines and call Powerco’s emergency number 0800 272727.”
Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and gas distribution utility with around 420,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity networks are in Western Bay of Plenty, Thames, Coromandel, Eastern and Southern Waikato, Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay.

Reporting damage and faults:
• For dangerous sections of the network or lines that are down call Powerco on 0800 272 727.
• Customers should contact their electricity retailers to report faults and for restoration times.
Areas affected and restoration times:
http://www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/

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