Cross-country Access Biggest Challenge for Power Restoration

Cross-country Access Biggest Challenge for Taupo Plains Restoration

Monday 8 August (5.30pm) 2016

Taupo Plains Update:

Unison Networks today advised that cross-country access continued to be the biggest challenge facing restoration response to those 200 customers without power in the Taupo Plains.

Relationship Manager, Danny Gough said based on limited access to the biggest areas impacted by network devastation, it was looking like customers may be without power for longer than a week.

“Our crews today have been working in an area not too far from the road. Taupo District Council’s contractors, Higgins, have been clearing main and secondary roads, but our efforts are at this stage restricted by the lack of access to cross-country areas where most of the damage to our 33kV network is, with over 150 poles down, broken and more twisted,” said Relationship Manager, Danny Gough.

“We have been working with Taupo District Council’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (TDC CDEM) team to organise clearance priorities for access, and working where we can with limited access.”

He said in the meantime, the team was also sourcing materials and organising support so restoration efforts could commence swiftly as soon as access was cleared.

“We have a number of poles already organised and ready to go. We will also continue to source material as information comes in from our teams on the ground.

“We would also like to thank our peers in the industry who have offered support by way of crews, as well as plant and equipment. Northpower, Horizon, Electrix and WEL Networks are on standby while we wait for access to be cleared and weather to improve so they can get in. Connectics and Broadspectrum have also extended an offer to help if we need them. Top Energy has offered to assist with plant and equipment. We are hugely thankful.”

He said Civil Defence, Federation Farmers, Dairy NZ and Rural Support Services continued to offer support to locals affected.

Unison has arranged a public meeting for customers at the Rangitaiki Tavern at midday Tuesday, 9 August.

Hawke’s Bay Update:

Unison advised crews have been out in the field today, across all sites where customers are without power in rural, high country parts of Hawke’s Bay.

“After today’s assessments from the ground, the team are encouraged we can get the majority of customers on in a few days as initially predicted.

“As we dig through by foot, we are uncovering more damage, so restoration will depend on how much more we find. We are hopeful a few more customers will get back on tonight.”

What field crews are noticing is a few people up in the snow, kids playing, where electrical lines are on the ground.

“Electrical lines are no place for playing, so we ask our communities to remember this and be vigilant while network damage remains extensive and buried in snow in some parts.”

Customers affected are in the areas of Tutira (Pohokura/Ridgemount), Puketitiri, Esk Valley, Patoka, Tangoio and Otamauri.

“We are working with Civil Defence who are out there in the community assessing community needs in terms of access, supplies and animal welfare. We have also been liaising with Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ and Rural Support to help our community get through this challenging time.”

ENDS

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