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28 November 2002

MANGAWHAI ELECTRICITY SUPPLY BACK TO NORMAL

The Mangawhai 33,000 volt substation, which burnt to the ground on Friday 15 November, has effectively been replaced. Some of the equipment now in use is not as sophisticated as that lost in the fire. However, there will be more than adequate capacity available from the temporary arrangement, to supply the peak Christmas load to the greater Mangawhai area.

Northpower has called tenders to purchase new equipment for the substation and permanent replacement is expected to be completed within 6 to 8 months. The extended time is due to the delivery period for the major items of equipment.

The fire originated in the main transformer which had been in use for less than 2 years. The matter has been taken up with the supplier.

The Network Manager, Calvin Whaley, said that Northpower would like to thank all those people in the area who responded to requests to keep their electricity use down. Their efforts, coupled with our contingency planning and quick response from fault staff, enabled everybody to have a restricted supply available within 90 minutes of the fire starting. Mr Whaley said their efforts also avoided further problems until the effective replacement was completed on Wednesday.

For further information contact: Calvin Whaley - phone 430 1811

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