Efforts to restore power continue - 4pm 20/9/13

Media statement - for immediate release
4.00pm, Friday 20 Sept 2013 - next update 4.00pm tomorrow

Efforts to restore power continue

The number of Orion customers without power, following last week's destructive wind storm, is now around 250. The customers without power are dispersed around the rural region. The storm originally took out power to 28,000 Orion customers.

"It is time consuming work to restore the network after the most destructive storm to hit our region in 40 years. Our remaining repairs are only bringing back a handful, or less, of customers each time," says Orion Chief Executive Rob Jamieson.

"I thank those remaining customers without power for their ongoing patience. It is not easy being without power for so long but thankfully most understand that if you are at the end of a line with few customers off it, precedence needs to be given to repairs to a neighbouring rural line if it has more customers on it," continues Mr Jamieson.

We have all of our available resources working on this repair and have many other networks and contractors from throughout New Zealand also assisting. Crews will continue to work through the weekend.

We ask any residents using generators to get them installed by registered electricians to ensure the safety of the linesmen repairing the network.

If you see a fallen power line, or a tree on a power line, please stay well clear and call us on 0800 363 9898.

Our next update will be at 4.00pm tomorrow, Saturday.

ENDS

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