Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Transpower identifies source of major power cut

Updated at 8:34 pm on 14 December 2011

National grid operator Transpower says it has identified the origin of a major power cut in the North Island but has yet to identify the root cause.

A fault at the Huntly power station affected more than 200,000 customers for several hours from 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Transpower chief executive Patrick Strange says the company, along with Genesis Energy, has found some damaged circuitry and isolated the equipment involved.

Dr Strange says modern power systems are very complex and Transpower has not yet determined exactly what caused the problem.

No compensation for businesses

The loss of electricity meant some shops had to close their doors for several hours, but Transpower says it will not be offering compensation.

The Retailers Association says the grid operator should at least be talking to the retailers affected.

Chief executive John Albertson says it is an incredibly important time of year and losing several hours of trading is unacceptable.

But Transpower says it is impossible to deliver continuous supply of electricity and customers need to insure themselves against occasional power cuts, which are inevitable.

Dr Strange says most regions had their supplies disconnected on Tuesday in order to prevent a full grid blackout and allow repair work to begin immediately.

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