Media statement - for immediate release

4.30pm, Sunday 15 September 2013

Less than 2,000 now without power

The number of Orion customers without power following the gale force winds on Tuesday night is now less than 2,000. 28,000 customers originally lost electricity supply due to the winds. Most of those that remain without power are in the rural community west of Christchurch.

"It will take a couple more days, probably until Tuesday, to restore supply to those remaining customers without power. Progress at reducing the number without power is quite slow now as many of the repairs we are completing take a few hours to fix but only bring on a few customers at a time," says Orion Chief Executive Rob Jamieson.

"Contractors from throughout the South Island and Wellington have been assisting us for the last couple of days and more have arrived from Dunedin today. We are thankful for their support as many of our contractors, who have been working solidly since Tuesday, need a break or else their fatigue will compromise their safety," continues Mr Jamieson.

"I'd also like to thank those without power for their patience and support."

We ask any residents using generators to get them installed by registered electricians to ensure the safety of the linesmen repairing the network.

If you see a fallen power line, or a tree on a power line, please stay well clear and call us on 0800 363 9898.

Our next update will be at 6.30am, Monday morning.

ENDS

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