Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Power Restored To Coromandel / Whitianga

Power supply has been restored to most homes in the Whitianga and Coromandel areas following damage to the electricity network yesterday as a result of extreme weather.

High winds and falling trees yesterday caused damage to two sections of the high voltage network in remote rural locations in the north of the Coromandel Peninsula. Around 9,000 homes in Coromandel and Whitianga were affected.

Power has now been restored to these homes. Powerco staff are working to see if there are any homes still without power through weather damage to the lines connecting individual homes to the network.

Powerco Network Operations Manager Ross Dixon said the damage to the network had been caused by unusually severe weather conditions and he appreciated the patience and understanding of local residents and businesses while the repairs were being carried out.

Mr Dixon said repair teams had worked hard to repair the two sections of damaged network as quickly as possible in rugged and remote terrain.

He said the extreme weather had made the repair effort difficult and high winds had prevented a helicopter crew working yesterday evening.

“We had to pull our helicopter crew out of the area last night due to concerns over their safety in the extremely high winds. We have had crews in on foot but, with the conditions in the area, the remote location, and the lack of access for machines, we could not safely commence repairs until conditions eased.“

Mr Dixon said the repair work had resumed at first light this morning. Powerco crews had to use a bulldozer to tow a cherry picker truck into the bush to repair the fault between Coroglen and Whitianga. Another crew used a helicopter in the ranges to repair the second fault between Kopu and Coroglen.

“The main and backup supplies have now been returned to normal,” he said.

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and 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

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