Maintenance needed on power supply

Power outages are coming to Tirau and Putaruru.

Transpower has advised that power outages are required on August 31 and September 7 in the Hinuera area including Tirau, Putaruru and surrounding areas, to replace a critical piece of electrical equipment connecting to the Hinuera substation.

Hinuera is supplied from a single 110 kV transmission line from the Hinuera substation, so the work cannot be undertaken while the power remains in service. Both outages will run from 9am to 1pm. Corporate communications manager Rebecca Wilson said that as part of its maintenance checks, Transpower had recently discovered that a piece of electrical equipment that connects to the Hinuera substation required urgent repair.

‘‘This work is required prior to the end of winter to ensure we can maintain reliability of power supply to Hinuera, Tirau, Matamata, Putaruru and the surrounding areas, and reduce the likelihood of an unplanned, longer power outage to the area. We will also take the opportunity to undertake work on some equipment due for replacement in the near future,’’ she said.

‘‘We recognise that there is no ideal time for the power to be switched off and apologise for any disruption this may cause. We have worked with the local lines company, Powerco, to try and find times that will be the least disruptive to the community, taking into consideration farmers’ milking times, dairy factory operations and the local businesses that we recognise rely on hospitality trade.

‘‘However, it is important to note that areas with no backup supply, like Hinuera, do unfortunately experience both unplanned and planned power outages from time to time, and this is reflected in the transmission pricing arrangements reached with their local lines company.

‘‘People should remember to treat power lines as live at all times during the planned outage times as power could be restored at any time,’’ she said.