Lightning Strikes Cause Unplanned Power Outages

Due to adverse weather conditions, EFL’s customers in the Western Division of Viti Levu have experienced two major outages on January 15 and 17, 2019. On Tuesday January 15, 2019, at 1512 hours, the 132,000 Volts transmission line from Nadarivatu to Vuda in the Western Division tripped due to suspected lightning activity, therefore affecting power supply to all the customers in the Western Division of Viti Levu from Namatakula in Sigatoka to Rakiraki, including Korolevu, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.

The same event affected certain parts of Suva. The power supply to all affected customers by this event was restored by 1605 hours. On Thursday January 17, 2019, at 1630 hours, the 132,000 Volts transmission line from Nadarivatu to Vuda in the Western Division again tripped due to suspected lightning activity, therefore affecting power supply to all the customers in the Western Division of Viti Levu, from Namatakula in Sigatoka to Rakiraki including Korolevu, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki. The same event affected certain parts of Suva.

The power supply to all affected customers by this event was restored by 1709 hours.

After the restoration of the 132,000 Volts transmission line from Nadarivatu to Vuda, EFL teams have conducted detailed visual inspections of the 132,000 Volts transmission line to confirm that there is no faulty hardware and the transmission line is clear of any vegetation. The EFL apologised for any inconvenience caused to all its valued customers due to these unplanned power outages which are beyond its control. Source: Energy Fiji Limited Edited by Naisa Koroi

The same event affected certain parts of Suva. The power supply to all affected customers by this event was restored by 1605 hours.