PowerNet staff to help effort in Fiji
Five PowerNet staff are lending their skills and expertise to the international recovery effort under way in Fiji following the devastating Cyclone Winston.
A PowerNet team of five line mechanics will travel to Fiji tomorrow and spend up to three weeks in the country’s second largest city, Lautoka, restoring and repairing electricity services.
Team leader Reece Stephenson and Mark Payne, both based in Gore, Joe Clarke and Sachin Chand, both based in Invercargill, and Cory Sutton from Balclutha make up the team.
Cyclone Winston hit Fiji on February 20 causing major damage to powerlines and significant power outages.
The PowerNet team’s work will include disconnecting fallen lines from poles and clearing debris so that powerlines can be reconstructed safely, erecting fallen power poles, re-stringing power lines, and re-installing fallen transformers and other overhead distribution equipment.
A PowerNet crane truck has already been shipped to Fiji for use in the reconstruction effort and the truck will be used by the team while working there.
PowerNet service and delivery inte- gration manager Justin Peterson says the company was pleased to be able to provide support for Fiji’s recovery effort.
‘‘PowerNet is very pleased to be able to support the recovery and help get electricity services up and running again in Fiji. It’s fantastic that we have the resources, skills and expertise that allow us to give this kind of support to an international recovery effort,’’ he said.
The team will work alongside staff from four other New Zealand power distribution companies. The trip to provide assistance has been arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.