Queenstown power cut at rush hour

Much of Queenstown was brought to a standstill yesterday morning during an hour-long power outage.

An equipment fault triggered the power cut to more than 11,000 customers in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wye Creek between 8.40am and 9.50am.

Many core businesses activated emergency generators but petrol was unable to be pumped, usually busy cafes were without coffee, and builders on construction sites switched to hand tools.

Transpower New Zealand communications manager Rebecca Wilson said the power cut was caused by an error in a protection signalling unit in the Cromwell substation.

The alternative line was having planned maintenance carried out and was unable to provide a backup service. Crews carrying out the maintenance were able to investigate the situation immediately.

"Once it was deemed safe to do so, the line shut down by the signalling error was restored to service again," Mrs Wilson said.

The faulty signalling unit was taken out of service for further investigation by Transpower yesterday morning.

Queenstown Airport general manager aeronautical Chris Read said the airport was not affected by the power cut as emergency generators automatically activated.

Backup power generators also automatically activated after 15 seconds at Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown, ensuring an almost uninterrupted power supply.

Large hotels in the resort, including Rydges, Millennium Hotel, Mercure Resort and Kingsgate Hotel, also relied on backup power generators.

Queenstown Fresh Choice supermarket owner Tony Wild said backup generators started within a minute of the power cut.

"It's the perfect test for any major emergency event," he said.

Caltex Queenstown owner Richard Lee was frustrated he could not supply fuel during one of his busiest periods.

"We're turning away heaps of customers and it's right during our morning rush," he said.

Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes said he had not received any complaints about the electricity cut.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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