Interruption To Power Supply – 8am Update

Interruption To Power Supply – 8am Update

Powerco network crews are making steady progress in reconnecting residents in the Coromandel, Thames Valley and Tauranga areas following extensive damage to the electricity network caused by Tuesday’s strong winds and heavy rain.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Ross Dixon said that around 700 customers remained without power this morning.

Mr Dixon said that people who were still without power this morning should contact their electricity retailer. “Our crews have worked through the night and the restoration effort is now continuing in full force. We’re focused on restoring supply to those remaining customers today.

Mr Dixon said the damage was still affecting a wide spread area. Customers in parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, Thames, Morrinsville and Tauranga, and areas between Paeroa and Waihi were still affected.

“The winds reached 120 km/hour at the storm’s height, causing conductors to clash and trees to collapse onto lines. The flooding has washed out poles and prevented line crews from getting to some parts of the network.

“In some places fallen and broken lines are affecting a small number of customers.”

Mr Dixon said he understood the frustration people without supply would be experiencing, and thanked them for their patience. He said no effort was being spared to reconnect customers.

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and second largest gas distribution utility with around 400,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity networks are in Tauranga, 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 the Hawke’s Bay. /ends

© Scoop Media