Power to be cut in Opotiki as Transpower carries out crucial maintenance

A blackout will be imposed on Opotiki township today as Transpower carries out urgent repairs to its transmission network.

It will see schools and businesses close but could prove dire for those in need of air conditioning, with the town set for a high of 24C.

Transpower has told the Opotiki District Council the work is so urgent that it if it isn't carried out it could lead to equipment failure leading to an outage for a "significantly longer period of time".

The town's library and i-Site is also closed today, as is the council's main office.

Our crews sent through some thermal images of the failing equipment that caused today's outage (9am - 5pm) in the...

Posted by Transpower NZ on Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Transpower this morning released thermal imagery of the affected power lines, saying it was reaching up to a dangerous 175C.

"Our crews are currently working as fast as they are safely able, to repair the equipment and restore power to the region."

The company said it was still on track to complete the works by 5pm.

The council yesterday urged residents to prepare for the outage, especially those reliant on medical equipment for support.

Residents, who appear to have been given just 24 hours' notice, are also asked to turn off all appliances at the wall, store enough drinking water before the power goes off and fill-up petrol tanks before power is cut as pumps won't work.

Eftpos will also be down. Farmers will also be affected.

POWER OUTAGE TOMORROW FOR THE WHOLE OF OPOTIKI DISTRICT 9AM to 5PM Transpower have advised that all of Opotiki District...

Posted by Opotiki District Council on Monday, 29 January 2018

Opotiki Mayor John Forbes told NewstalkZB that if anyone started having any issues they should contact the council.

The outage would "make it tough" on those in rest homes and health centres, he said.

Thermal imagery shows how dangerously hot the affected power lines are currently getting. Photo/Transpower