Transpower responds to Minister’s request

14 June 2006

Transpower responds to Minister’s request

Transpower will respond to the Minister of Energy’s request with a comprehensive report on Monday’s power outage that affected a large part of Auckland.

Chief Executive Ralph Craven says a full investigation is underway into why an earthwire snapped, and the impact it had when it dropped into switching equipment at Otahuhu substation.

“An earthwire breaking is an extremely rare event and Transpower shares the Government’s concern at the extent of the power loss that resulted.

“Transpower will provide the Minister with full details of Monday’s incident. We will also provide initial advice on what our plans are to provide greater diversity of supply.

“Auckland has had a heavy reliance on the Otahuhu substation for many decades. We are looking at whether already planned developments on a different site at Otahuhu will be sufficient, or whether an entirely new substation is feasible and warranted.”

ENDS

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