Energy Minister Simeon Brown has ordered the Electricity Authority to review a pylon collapse that caused a power outage across Northland. Video / Michael Cunningham
Energy Minister Simeon Brown is promising a full review into the “unacceptable” power outage that hit Northland this week.
Brown drove to Northland on Friday to see the damaged pylon that fell over on June 20, he then met with local mayors and emergency operators.
He shared his concern for Northlanders still without power and impacted businesses: “It is unacceptable what happened yesterday; it just should not happen.”
On top of Transpower’s own investigation, Brown will ask the Electricity Authority to review the incident and is considering a Government review.
Authority chief executive Sarah Gillies has confirmed it will be undertaking a review after the minister’s statement.
“Electricity consumers need to have confidence their electricity supply is as reliable as possible. Our review will seek that assurance on behalf of consumers,” Gillies said.
She said it looks forward to working closely with grid owner and operator Transpower, local lines companies and other agencies during the process.
Northland’s extensive power cut could cost the region $60 million by the end of Saturday, according to an RNZ report quoting economics consultants Infometrics.
As maintenance work was being performed on the pylon when it collapsed, WorkSafe has also been notified and may launch its own investigation.
Brown said he visited Whangārei to gain a better understanding of the incident’s impact on Northlanders.
“I’m here because the Government cares about Northland. Northland is a critical part of New Zealand and we want to make sure the resilience of this community is a priority.”
Transpower executive general manager – grid delivery Mark Ryall agreed the incident was unacceptable.
“We apologise for the inconvenience of people being without power yesterday. It is unacceptable; a pylon shouldn’t just fall down.
“We are committed to getting power fully back up and then finding out what happened, and we will be open and honest with that review.”
Ryall would not be drawn on what happened but said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no risk that another pylon would fall.
Brown said Transpower told him a temporary replacement structure would be in Auckland tonight and, if all things go well, in place by Saturday evening.
Energy Minister Simeon Brown, centre, and Northland mayors face the media to discuss the power cut that has affected the region. Photo/ Michael Cunningham.
Northpower and Top Energy have confirmed nearly all of their combined 100,000 customers had their power restored yesterday evening.
However, the power companies are requesting the public use their electricity wisely and be prepared for the possibility of more outages if power demand exceeds capacity.
Northpower spokeswoman Rachel Wansbone said all residential and most businesses have had their power restored.
The downed pylon near Glorit. Photo / Michael Craig
She urged the public to conserve electricity following the tower incident because the company was running on reduced power.
“We got through last night’s peak power use time (5pm-9pm) with everyone conserving as much energy as possible, and by turning off the hot water.”
She said credit also goes to large industrial customers such as Fonterra and Golden Bay Cement, among others, who have limited their use of power and will continue to do so until Monday.
Top Energy spokeswoman Philippa White said while some “pocket” areas in the Far North may still be without power, the cause was not related to the Transpower issue.
“To our knowledge, everyone has got their power back. We have our generator on with additional support from Ngāwhā,” White said.
A temporary replacement for the downed pylon is due to be in place by the end of Saturday. Photo / Michael Craig
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said it was frustrating Northland had to go through this and added the region was fortunate to have Ngāwhā come to the rescue.
“This isn’t the first time that it has saved us. Earlier this year we had rolling blackouts across the country where consumption outweighed the demand.
“What we need is an upgrade of the surrounding infrastructure in our lines.”
Tepania said while the Kaikohe township got its power back by Thursday afternoon, several homes in communities such as Haruru Falls had to wait until around 9.30pm.
He looked forward to working with the Central government to ensure an incident of this nature never happened again.
Far North Kahika (Mayor) Moko Tepania. Photo / Michael Cunningham
“I’m grateful that there is going to be a full independent investigation into this as our Minister of Energy Simeon Brown said this morning.
“The other thing that needs to be reviewed is the phone towers which kept failing despite having a backup battery that should last for 24 hours. It’s just not good enough,” Tepania said.
Northland MP Grant McCallum agreed, and after having driven past the pylon this morning, commented that it was “sobering” and understands a replacement is under way.
He was looking forward to what the external inquiry would find and expressed his desire to “lobby hard” for some big investments up North. “Because Northlanders deserve better, and we’ve had enough.”
Far North Civil Defence chair Kelly Stratford said that after the power cut she received a number of calls and messages from people who expressed concern over the unexpected failure.
“Some asked whether they needed to get their own generators while other small providers like foodbanks were worried about their supplies in their freezers getting spoilt.”
Far North deputy mayor Kelly Stratford. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Stratford said she also got distress calls from some residential care facilities. Her team advised locals in every Far North community to look after each other and check on their elderly who may not have the means to communicate with the outside world.
A Transpower spokesman said its engineering teams have been working hard to restore full supply to Northland.
“Our main focus is to restore the full supply as soon as possible. We like to clarify that we will soon launch an investigation and cannot talk further on what happened as it would just be speculation,” he said.
Transpower had initially hoped to be able to lift the fallen tower to restore one 220kV circuit by Friday afternoon.
But he said it was now clear that the best option was to put in a temporary tower and lift a circuit across to it. The work is expected to be completed by this weekend.
“Electricity demand is much less on weekends and Transpower expects that the 110kV line and local generation should be able to supply all of Northland over the weekend.
“Transpower asks those in areas from Warkworth northwards who have power to continue to conserve it during peak times on Friday (6am to 9am and 5pm to 9pm),” he said.
Some examples of how those in impacted areas who do have power can help during the peaks are:
Turn off heaters and lights in rooms you are not using.
Use large appliances sparingly (such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers).
Charge electric vehicles only as needed.
The spokesperson said people with power should stay warm by heating rooms they are using.
However, they could consider turning down the temperature slightly (1-2 degrees). More updates will be provided on Transpower’s website and Facebook page.
People can also check the websites of their local lines company – Top Energy, Northpower or Vector – for up-to-date outage information.
