Update 1 - Fire-Related Power Outage in the Queenstown Lakes area: 11 Jan 2017 12:00pm

The current status of the power outage on the Aurora Energy network in the Queenstown Lakes area following a fire at Rat Point near Bob’s Cove on Glenorchy Road overnight is:

Power remains out to around 350 customers in the Glenorchy, Kinloch, Moke Lake, Paradise and Routeburn areas.

Delta was contacted early this morning and asked to perform an emergency isolation on the power supply. Delta continues to work with the NZ Fire Service as the situation develops.

Aurora Energy has been given permission to send a helicopter into the affected area to assess the extent of damage to electricity supply assets. Aurora Energy will be able to give an estimate on restoration timeframes once this assessment is complete.

We understand the inconvenience that power outages cause and we are working hard to restore power to affected customers as soon as is safely possible. The safety of the public and line crews is of primary importance at all times.

People using medical equipment that relies on electricity should advise their electricity retailer and contact your health provider or call 111. Always keep well clear of power lines and electrical equipment and treat them as live at all times. During a power outage, switch appliances off at the wall to avoid possible damage to electrical appliances when power is restored. To report damage or downed power lines, please contact us on 0800 433 582.

For media enquiries, please contact John Campbell, 021 390 428.

Aurora Energy is New Zealand’s sixth largest electricity network, supplying electricity to 86,400 homes, farms and businesses in Dunedin and Central Otago.

ENDS