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No Power?

MainPower carries out regular maintenance and upgrade work across North Canterbury. From time to time, you may be affected by a planned power outage. If this is the case, you will be notified ahead of time by your electricity retailer.

If your power goes off, you can find out if it is a planned or unplanned outage on the MainPower outages map.

If you cannot find your outage on the map, there are some things you can do to try and diagnose the problem. Click here to find some tips to find the cause of a power outage.

If you need help or would like to report an outage, call our 24 hour faults line on 0800 30 90 80. In an emergency, cal 111.

We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.

There are two types of power outages

Planned power outages are scheduled in advance so that work can be carried out safety on or around the electricity network. You will be notified about planned outages by your electricity retailer. MainPower also sends a text message to the electricity account holder advising of upcoming outages.

Unplanned outages are when the power goes out unexpectedly. This can be caused by several reasons including vehicle accidents, windstorms, earthquakes, people hitting underground cables when digging etc.

No Power? What to do

Unplanned power outages can occur at any time. Typical causes of unplanned power outages include stormy weather, tree branches, debris falling on power lines, or car accidents.

Safety advice

Stay safe during planned or unplanned power outages. If you have any concerns, call us on 0800 30 90 80.

Outages FAQs

If you can’t find the answers you need please get in touch with our team.

What can my business do to be prepared for a power outage?
  • Check your terms and conditions with your electricity retailer – it will detail notification periods for planned electricity network outages and any compensation clauses.

  • Check your insurance provisions – how long does power need to be off before the policy covers you?

  • Have a good back up plan and ensure your staff are trained.

  • Consider the use of manual eftpos and credit card options.

  • Can your site be supplied by a generator? Know your capacity requirements, connection options and generator hire contact details.

  • Have alternative locations for storage of perishable goods and freezer blankets.

  • Have back-up alternative locations to work from and phone diversions to mobiles contingency in place and when the power comes on understand what equipment needs resetting.

What should I do during a planned power outage?

If you will be affected by a planned outage, your electricity retailer will send you a letter in advance so you can make other arrangements. Planned outages are also listed on our website, visit the MainPower outages page.

Who is a priority customer?

Special consideration is given to the continuity of supply to customers whose health or livelihood could be adversely affected by an interruption. Priority customers include those who maintain essential services as well as medically dependent customers.

Customers with serious medical conditions, who rely on continuity of supply to support life, are treated as priority customers. Every effort is made to maintain continuity of supply and, if necessary, to advise them of any interruptions to supply so that alternate arrangements can be made. If you are a medically dependent customer, please ensure we are aware of your needs by contacting your electricity retail provider and letting them know. Or, contact us on 0800 30 90 80. Click here to find out more about medically dependant customers. 

Why do power outages occur?

There are two types of power outage, planned and unplanned.

Planned power outages occur when we need to complete maintenance work on the network. If you will be affected by a planned outage, you will receive a notification from your chosen electricity retailer in advance.

Unplanned power outages occur when unforeseen circumstances cause damage to the network (e.g. car accidents, tree branches or other debris being blown into power lines etc.).

Does MainPower charge for callouts?

MainPower provides a 24-hour fault response service. When a customer’s property or actions have caused the fault, the responsible customer will be charged a call out fee.

Call outs caused by a MainPower network fault will not incur a fee.

MainPower call out fees

  • Fault call out during normal working hours (7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday):

    • $228.00+GST minimum charge, plus travel.

    • Additional charges will be billed for any equipment required. Additional time during business hours will be charged at our standard rate ($114.00+GST per hour).

    • MainPower callouts fees are charged from for the time our staff leave a depot, to the time they return to a depot.

     

  • Fault call out afterhours:$342.00+GST minimum charge, plus travel.

    • Additional charges will be billed for any equipment required. Additional time will be charged at our standard rate ($114.00+GST per hour).

    • MainPower callouts fees are charged from for the time our staff leave a depot, to the time they return to a depot.

All chargeable call outs will incur a minimum fee for a two-hour period (plus travel costs). Where we are required to stand staff down as a result of attending an afterhours call out, we reserve the right to charge a stand down fee.

We’re here to help

If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.

Outage notifications

Power restoration during high fire risk season.

As the region’s fire risk increases, MainPower is implementing extra safety measures to protect our communities.

This means that restoring power after an outage may take longer than usual.

Click here to find out more.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore power quickly and safely.

MainPower Holiday Closure

MainPower offices will be closed from Friday 20th December to Monday 6th January.

We will still be attending faults during this period.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour fault line to report an emergency call 111.

Outage notifications

Power restoration during high fire risk season.

As the region’s fire risk increases, MainPower is implementing extra safety measures to protect our communities.

This means that restoring power after an outage may take longer than usual.

Click here to find out more.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore power quickly and safely.

MainPower Holiday Closure

MainPower offices will be closed from Friday 20th December to Monday 6th January.

We will still be attending faults during this period.

Is your outage not listed?

Troubleshoot your outage
Treat all lines as live during the outage period; power may be restored at any time. If you require further information, please call MainPower’s 24-hour fault line to report an emergency call 111.

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