Quarry blast damages Far North power line - 13 Oct 2006

Blasting at a quarry near Kaitaia this afternoon has damaged a transmission line which supplies Kaitaia and the Far North region.

The incident occurred at the Fairburn Line Quarry, about 10 km east of Kaitaia. Blasted rocks hit wires on the 110 kV transmission line that passes by the quarry.

The power has stayed on but a physical inspection by Transpower’s contractors has determined that the three conductor wires over a distance of about 150 metres have been damaged.

The transmission line is the only electricity supply into the Far North and will have to be removed from service to allow the damaged wires to be replaced. Preparations will be made at the site tonight and tomorrow, with the work likely to occur on Sunday.

Removing the line from service will cut the supply of electricity to the Kaitaia substation. An outage of up to 8 hours may be needed on Sunday in order to complete the work. The details will be worked out with the local lines company, Top Energy.

Top Energy has advised that this will affect all areas north of the Mangamuka Ranges, all of North Hokianga, except Kohukohu township, and all areas north of and including Taupo Bay.

The Police and other emergency services, Kaitaia Hospital, the Juken New Zealand Triboard Mill, Vodafone and Telecom have all been kept informed of the situation.

Details of the planned outage on Sunday will be confirmed tomorrow.

ENDS

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