Power Restoration Work to Continue Over Long Weekend

9 March 2012 – 3.30pm
Release #16

Power Restoration Work to Continue Over Long Weekend

Lines crews will continue to restore power to properties in Wanganui and South Taranaki over Taranaki Anniversary Weekend.

Around 500 customers remain without power. The majority are in remote rural areas of Wanganui, Patea, Waverley and the Waitotara Valley where damage to the network is most severe.

Extreme winds on Saturday ravaged the network, bringing down many poles and about 600 lines. Some transformer structures have been completely destroyed.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh said Powerco, along with other agencies, had representatives out visiting customers who were facing prolonged power cuts.

“We’re trying to get around to everyone to let them know what the situation is with their power, and to make sure they’re holding up ok.”

He said field staff had been removing fallen lines and making them safe, but people should stay well away from any yet to be attended to, and treat the lines as live at all times. Any lines that are down should be reported to Powerco on 0800 272 727.

Mr Marsh said that when “backbone” power lines had been repaired, some individual properties may only have partial power. Customers who do not have any power, or supply to only parts of their property should contact their electricity retailers. This is especially important if neighbours have their power back on.

He said a small number of customers in these areas would not have supply restored until next week.

People without power should turn their mains switch off if they leave their property while waiting for supply to be restored.

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, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay. Information about Powerco is available on its website www.powerco.conz

Customers should contact their electricity retailers to report faults and for estimated restoration times. People should ring Powerco on 0800 272 727 if they see dangerous sections of the network or lines that are down.

ENDS

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