Work progressing well on high voltage lines near Gisborne

Repairs to the damaged high voltage lines near Gisborne are progressing well, says Eastland Network general manager Brent Stewart.

The 110kV lines were struck by a light fixed wing plane at about 9am yesterday morning, and most homes and businesses in Gisborne and the East Coast have been without electricity ever since.

As Gisborne residents went to sleep in a dark city last night, network crews started work on the damaged lines, standing down temporarily overnight during heavy rain, wind and lightning.

“The sun is out now and our crews are making good progress at the worksite near Hangaroa,” said Mr Stewart.

“They are working as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions. We’re still hopeful power will be restored late today but the damage is significant and there is a lot of work to do. We will be able to give a more formal update to the community around 3pm today.”

Mr Stewart says other teams worked yesterday and again this morning under the guidance of Civil Defence to install around 25 generators across the city.

“These have been put into supermarkets, food outlets, petrol stations and aged care residences.”

He warned all residents to make sure they continued to treat all lines as live at all times.

“Electricity supply may resume at any time.”

ENDS

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