More than 1700 households were still without power in Canterbury overnight after a helicopter cut power lines yesterday.
The incident occurred when a crop-dusting helicopter cut transmission lines about halfway between Timaru and Tekapo at 10.25am yesterday.
In an update this morning, Alpine Energy said around 1750 homes were affected last night.
A spokesperson said Alpine was reliant on Transpower to finish its work, and a Transpower spokesperson said they aimed to restore power to local lines later today.
Alpine was working to reconfigure the network to supply customers as “best we can”.
It was also working with the council to prioritise and coordinate where power could be collectively supplied.
A community centre in Tekapo was also set up today for locals who needed power or a “cup of tea”.
Alpine urged customers to use as little energy as possible so more customers could be supplied.
