All PowerNet customers who lost power because of snow in Otago earlier this week have had electricity restored today.
PowerNet’s crews have been working in freezing conditions and supported by local farmers to clear snow today, allowing them to make repairs and get the last 50 customers who were without power overnight back on this afternoon.
Further snow has fallen in the impacted areas today, and more work is needed to complete permanent repairs on the damaged infrastructure which supplies Hindon and some of the surrounding areas.
Those customers are currently powered by a generator, installed by PowerNet yesterday.
Field staff will be working until at least next week to repair and replace more than 30 damaged poles before customers can be taken off the generator and have their usual network connection restored.
PowerNet is warning that, with snow still falling in parts of Otago, there is still a risk of further outages, and is encouraging people to stay prepared and update their emergency kits.
Anyone who experiences further outages should also report them to PowerNet on 0800 808 587.