Hundreds of customers remain without power across the lower South Island after two separate events — a national grid fault and a fierce storm — knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses today.
National grid owner Transpower NZ hit a significant issue at lunchtime, cutting supply to most of Southland for around two hours and leaving approximately 25,000 customers in the dark.
At the same time, stormy conditions that battered Southland and parts of Otago from the early hours of Sunday and through the afternoon caused their own outages across the region.
An orange-level strong wind warning for Southland and parts of Otago was lifted at around 2pm on Sunday.
In its latest update, lines company PowerNet said about 300 customers remained without power and it hoped to restore at least 150 of those tonight.
“The remaining 150 customers are individual faults identified throughout Southland and Otago,” it said.
“These faults may affect a single property or small group of properties and can take longer to repair.”
Crews would continue to work while it was safe to do so, PowerNet said, but those still without power should make preparations now in case it was not restored today.
PowerNet operations general manager Geoff Thorburn said field teams had been well prepared for the storm.
“We have had crews out since the early hours of Sunday morning, when the winds first hit. They were out working on repairs when Transpower’s issue first occurred and have continued working through this afternoon,” he said.
Thorburn said the grid fault should no longer be the cause of any lingering outages.
“Everyone affected by Transpower’s outage will have had their electricity restored by now, unless there is weather-related damage to poles or lines. If you are still without electricity, and you haven’t called us to let us know, do so now on 0800 808 587.”
He said lightning had done much of the damage and urged people to stay away from downed lines.
“If you come across any storm-related damage today where vegetation or debris is in contact with lines, don’t be tempted to try and clear it yourself. Call 111 if there’s immediate danger – or call us on our 0800 number.”
He credited residents, businesses and farmers for the preparation work done since last year’s October wind event, including trimming or removing trees near powerlines.
“We know that many of you have been checking, trimming, and cutting down trees that threaten powerlines over the past year, and that will have made a difference today.”