5 March 2012 – 7.45pm
Release #10

Powerco Continues to Restore Power in Whanganui And South Taranaki

Today Powerco has restored power to 1,000 more customers, but expect 2,300 customers in Whanganui and South Taranaki will remain without power overnight.

Powerco General Manager Electricity Andrew McLeod, said staff have rebuilt key parts of the network making good progress at more than a dozen critical sites across the two regions. A multitude of smaller repairs were also completed over the day.

“We have more than 200 staff involved in rebuilding our networks and Powerco crews will work on through the night with major construction projects resuming first thing in the morning.”

“Our staff will also continue to work with local community groups and organisations to ensure they have access to the most up-to-date information.”

Mr McLeod reiterated that storm damage to the electricity network is the worst Powerco has experienced and the huge amount of rebuilding required will take some time to complete in rural, hard to access areas. Around 600 overhead lines were brought down and a large number of poles damaged in South Taranaki and Whanganui.

“With a few exceptions, areas without power are spread across the Whanganui and South Taranaki Regions in a number of isolated pockets. We are continuing to assess repair progress across the network and determine restoration times,” said Mr McLeod.

Mr McLeod continues to emphasise that, “Powerco’s first priority is making the network safe. The high number of damaged lines mean there are still many that remain down and they must be treated as live at all times.”

People should ring Powerco on 0800 272 727 if they see dangerous sections of the network. Customers wanting information about power cuts should phone their electricity retailer.

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

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