Powerco Network Co-ordination Manager Phil Marsh said the line will be shut down while the works are undertaken and the area will be supplied via large portable generators.

“During March 28 and 29 we will be replacing cross-arms and insulators on the 33,000 volt line as well as refurbishing the Whangamata substation,” Mr Marsh said.

Mr Marsh said customers would notice a 15 minute power outage between 5pm and 5.15 on both March 28 and 29 which would occur when supply was switched back from generator to the main electricity network.

“Customers should treat lines as live at all times however there will be a brief outage each night for all customers in Whangamata.

“There will also be a few areas where we will take supply off during the day – this is because the lines supplying the affected consumers will be directly underneath the work zones so the lower lines have to be de-energized for safety reasons. All affected consumers will receive notification of the outages from their electricity retailers – ie the company they pay their electricity bill to,” Mr Marsh said.

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and gas distribution utility with around 400,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity networks are in Tauranga, 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 the Hawke’s Bay.