5 days ago
Formal complaint lodged against Transpower over Northland transmission tower collapse
The pylon fell on 20 June 2024 with a report finding that contractors unbolted three of its four legs at once during routine maintenance.
Photo:
Supplied / Kawakawa Electrical Ltd
The Electricity Authority has lodged a formal complaint against the national grid operator for failures relating to the collapse of a transmission tower in Northland.
The collapse of Transpower's tower cut electricity to 88,000 customers in June 2024.
An
earlier investigation
pinned the blame on contractors removing too many nuts from bolts connecting the tower to a baseplate.
However, on Thursday, the Electricity Authority said Transpower failed to adhere to good industry practice around the maintenance of the tower.
The regulator said the decision to file a complaint was separate from
its report into the collapse
in September last year.
"The Authority decided to lodge the complaint because the alleged breach was significant in its duration, severity and impact; it involved a critical asset and undermined security of supply," it said in a statement.
An independent panel would determine the Electricity Authority's complaint.
"The Rulings Panel's assessment will help provide clarity on what good electricity industry practice requires of asset owners and the Authority aims to prevent similar incidents happening in the future."
If the complaint is upheld, Transpower faces penalties of up to $2 million.
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