Power outage tomorrow in the Far North - 14 Oct 2006

The Far North region will be without electricity for up to 12 hours on Sunday (tomorrow) to allow a badly damaged transmission line near Kaitaia to be repaired.

Blasting at a quarry 10 kilometres east of Kaitaia on Friday afternoon sent rocks into Transpower’s adjacent 110 kV transmission line. The power stayed on but the three conductor wires over a distance of about 150 metres have been damaged and must be replaced.

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 are being made at the site today by Transpower’s contractors, with assistance from local lines company Top Energy.

The power outage will begin at 7am tomorrow morning. Given the extent of the work, it is possible power will not be restored until 7pm. Transpower is aware of the disruption and inconvenience this will cause, and every effort will be made to complete the work sooner. Top Energy will take the opportunity to carry out a number of maintenance projects on its local network.

Top Energy says 10,000 customers will be affected by tomorrow’s outage. This includes all areas north of the Mangamuka Ranges, all of North Hokianga, except Kohukohu township, and all areas north of Taupo Bay.

Taupo Bay itself and the side roads off the State Highway south of Taupo Bay will NOT be affected.

NB: For Radio Stations in the area or anyone receiving calls about which areas are affected, the full details are:

Kaitaia, Awanui, Taipa, Coopers Beach, Mangonui, Hihi, Orauiti, Otangaroa North, Kohumaru, Fern Flat, Paranui, Oruru, Honeymoon Valley, Peria, Victoria Valley, Pamapuria, Takahue, Diggers Valley, Waiotehue, Broadwood, Paponga, Awaroa, Te Karae, Runaruna, Pawarenga, Panguru, Tapuwae, Rangi Point, Mitimiti, Tokerau Beach, Whatawhiwhi, Parpara, Kaingaroa, Ahipara, Herekino, Whangape, Waipapakauri, Motutangi, Kaimaumau, Waiharara, Houhora Heads, Pukenui, Ngataki, Te Kao, Te Hapua and all side roads within these districts.

ENDS

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