Strong winds damage power network in Bay of Plenty

Powerco field crews have been busy responding to a number of weather-related outages throughout western Bay of Plenty since last evening following damaging winds.

The largest wind-related, on-going outage is in the Minden area where 751 customers lost power at 4.48pm yesterday after trees crashed through lines in multiple locations, breaking equipment on the poles. 

Powerco Acting Head of Network Operations Mark Brown says while power was progressively restored to many Minden customers last evening, crews are currently working to restore supply to 82 customers who still need to be reconnected. 

“Thank you to those customers who have been waiting for some time now to have their power restored. I understand it’s really frustrating being without power. Please be assured that we’re doing everything we can to safely remove trees and other debris and detangle lines so that we can get power back on to you,” he says.

If anyone comes across downed lines it’s important to keep yourself, your children and livestock well away and, once safe, call its 24/7 emergency line on 0800 27 27 27 or 111.

The latest outage and restoration updates can be found on Powerco’s outage webpage here: outages.powerco.co.nz. If you don’t think your outage is showing on the map, please log your outage with your electricity retailer (the company you pay your power bill to) or through the message form on Powerco’s website here: powerco.co.nz/outages/report-an-outage