Good Progress Made Restoring Power Supply to Customers

21 March 2012: 4pm

Good Progress Made Restoring Supply to Customers

Powerco continues to make good progress restoring power to customers who lost supply when severe winds battered the electricity network yesterday.

Field staff have been working to repair damaged parts of the network throughout the day, and will continue overnight.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Phil Marsh said about 500 customers remained without power. The majority are in New Plymouth, Bell Block, Lepperton, Okato, Urenui, Pungarehu and Waverley.

“These are areas where the network was significantly damaged by the winds. Debris and fallen trees have to be cleared before repair work can be safely carried out, and it is likely a small number of customers will remain without supply overnight.”

Powerco urged members of the public to stay well clear of any downed overhead lines and to treat all lines as live at all times. To report downed lines contact Powerco on the emergency line 0800 272727.

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

People should ring Powerco on 0800 272 727 if they see dangerous sections of the network or lines that are down. Customers should contact their electricity retailers to report faults.

ENDS

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