2006 Auckland Blackout
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2006 Auckland Blackout refers to a massive electrical blackout in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, on June 12, 2006. It affected some 230,000 customers and started from 08:30 am local time, and had an impact on at least 700,000 people in and around the city.
Contents |
[edit] Immediate impact
Power went off at around 08:30 am local time on June 12, 2006 over half of Auckland in New Zealand. Most of southern and central Auckland, including the central business district, were without power.
[edit] Cause
The cause of the blackout was determined to be a grounding cable falling across the 110kV feeder at the Otahuhu B sub-station. This was caused by the failure of a corroded shackle, as the result of unusually high winds.[1]
[edit] Effects
Due to the power outage, many public services and business operations were disrupted:
- suburban commuter railway services were suspended
- over 300 groups of traffic lights were off
- some hospitals were closed and left only emergency services in operations
- radio station transmitters located in the Skytower were also taken offline for a period of time
- mobile phone and telephone service failures
- people stuck in lifts in office buildings
- end of semester exams due to be held that day at local universities were postponed.
Since the central business district was without power from the morning rush hours, business operations and traffic were disrupted severely. Many businesses sent their staff home.
[edit] Restoration of service
Power was restored to the central business district of Auckland at 12:40 local time. It was estimated that all affected areas would have their power restored by 16:30 local time. At approximately 14:45, power was restored to most of Auckland, except Penrose, Glen Innes, East Tamaki, and Otahuhu.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Staff writer. "Shackle failure leads to Auckland blackout", Associated Press Newswires, The Associated Press, 2006-06-17. Retrieved on September 26, 2006. (in English)
