5 March 2012 – 10am
Release #8

Powerco Making Steady Progress Restoring Power

Powerco is making steady progress restoring supply to customers without power, with around 1,000 properties back on since last night.

About 3,400 customers remain without power. Of these 1,700 are in South Taranaki and a further 1,700 in Whanganui.

Powerco General Manager Electricity Andrew McLeod said more resources were being brought into the hardest hit areas of Patea, Waverley and remote areas between Whanganui and Raeiti.

“We’ve got 200 people working hard to get power back on and we’re aiming to restore supply to another 1500 customers by the end of the day.

He said the damage to the network in Patea was particularly bad and Powerco staff have been sent to the town to help get information out to the local community.

“We understand how difficult it is for people to be without power and not know when it might be back on. We’re working with electricity retailers and get the most up-to-date information out to members of the public.”

The damage to the electricity network is major, with some sections needing to be completely rebuilt. Around 600 overhead lines were brought down and a large number of poles damaged in South Taranaki and Whanganui.

The extent of the damage means it may take another two to three days to fully restore supply to some customers where access is difficult or damage is extensive. We are continuing to evaluate damage in remote and difficult to access areas.

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

Power was restored to water pumps supplying Whanganui around 7am today.

People should ring Powerco on 0800 272727 if they see dangerous sections of the network. Customers wanting information about power cuts should phone their electricity retailer or go to www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/.

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.co.nz

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