Penrose Vector Update 5.30pm

Vector wishes to advise that crews have made good progress with restoring affected customers this afternoon.

Onehunga has been restored, Epsom, Penrose, Te Papa and Rockfield have also been restored.

This brings the total number of customers out down to 53,100, down from the 85,000 out at the height of the substation fire this morning. Crews are in the process of restoring Newmarket now, Westfield is looking likely between 6pm and 8pm tonight. It's hoped Glenn Innes will also be restored later this evening. The total number of customers we hope to restore this evening in this group is 13,500. Suburbs affected by the damaged cables are Sylvia Park, Remuera, Mt Wellington, St Johns, Orakei and St Heliers - these customers are expected to be without power overnight.

Crews will continue working overnight and throughout tomorrow in order to get customers restored as soon as possible.

Medically dependent customers or vulnerable customers in these areas should make alternative arrangements.

We will have a further update in the early evening.

© Scoop Media