Eastland Network continues to work on restoration of power supply

Eastland Network general manager Brent Stewart says power has been restored to hundreds of properties in the Gisborne, Wairoa and East Coast region, but some customers face a night without electricity as extreme weather conditions make it impossible to get line mechanic crews to parts of the network.

Up to 500 ICPs (individual connection points) were still without supply at 4pm today.

“We are working with roading crews to get our faultmen to the lines but that’s the key issue at the moment… we just can’t get them in to where they need to be. However, we are making progress and the flow of new fault reports seems to have slowed considerably.”

Earlier in the day, during a brief break in the weather, Eastland Network engineers were able to fly half of the Tuai/ Gisborne 110kV line where the faults have occurred and concluded that the integrity of the line has not been compromised by snow fall.

“Unfortunately the weather has again prevented the use of helicopters, so a Transfield crew is completing a ground-based survey of the remaining length of the line,” said Mr Stewart.

He said teams would continue to work to restore power and thanked residents for their patience. He also reminded everyone in the region to continue to treat all power lines as live at all times.

“Please call 0800 206 207 to report any faults or fallen power lines.”

ENDS

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