Power Restoration Commences in Tutira, Assistance for Taupo Plains Customers Underway

Monday 8 August, 2016 – With some 400 customers without power, Unison Networks is focused on restoring power where access allows and assisting the Taupo Plains community to get through what the company estimates will be at least a week without power from the network.

Taupo Plains Update:

The wild weather has brought down around 150 33kV poles, and about 50 11kV poles across the Taupo Plains leaving around 200 customers without power.

Conditions are now allowing access for crews with snow having melted from previous depths of one metre.

Unison Relationship Manager, Danny Gough said, “The snow has now melted enough for our crews to commence the restoration programme.

“Higgins Contractors have started to clear the roads and our teams are accessing the area from the Taupo end. Teams will now be getting out there on foot which will allow us to get a better indication of the damage after initial aerial assessments yesterday.

“It looks like it’s possible these customers may be without power for longer than a week. This is the worst damage we have seenin 10 years and it’s going to take some time to fix the network devastation.

“Our focus is on helping our customers in this area to get through. We are liaising with Rangitaiki School to get a generator in there so we can get pump water from the bore for the community.

“The Tavern also has a generator which has been assisting with diesel. A community meeting is being arranged for middaytomorrow at the Rangitaiki Tavern. At that point we should have an even clearer picture of what we are facing in terms of restoration times.

“We are also continuing to make direct contact with customers to help them where we can through advice, information and support.”

He also advised for dairy farmers still milking they should organise portable generation if they can.

He said the company was continuing to liaise with Civil Defence, Dairy NZ, Federated Farmers and Rural Support.

Hawke’s Bay Update:

Damage is severe for network areas that feed customers in Tutira (Pohokura/Ridgemount), Puketiri, Esk Valley, Patoka and Otamauri but crews have now been deployed and restoration is commencing.

Relationship Manager Danny Gough said due the damage those customers could still be without power for a few days.

“With about twenty poles down, extensive vegetation issues and lots of wires lying across the ground, this is the worst damage we have seen in around 10 years. We also face very tough terrain in this region, so that’s the biggest challenge our crews out there are facing.

“We are working with Civil Defence who are out there in the community assessing their needs in terms of access, supplies and animal welfare. We have also been liaising with Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ and Rural Support to help our community get through this challenging time.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media