Labasa’s recent power cuts have been caused by broken consumer service mains and events beyond Energy Fiji Ltd’s (EFL) control.

In response to residents’ concerns and frustrations regarding the frequent power cuts in Labasa area, EFL’s chief executive Hasmukh Patel said unplanned power outages were typically caused by events beyond EFL’s control such as natural disasters or damage to EFL assets such as power lines or power poles.

“Accidents caused by third party affecting EFL’s power infrastructure include uncontrolled fires near power lines, vehicles colliding into power poles, illegal high loads breaking overhead power lines and unauthorised digging near underground power cables,” he said.

“Another major cause of unplanned outages in the recent months has been due to broken consumer service mains. This is when a customer’s consumer service mains (overhead black wire) that connects the customer premises to the EFL grid or broken or dislodged power pole due to normal wear and tear is being exposed to natural elements such as rain, wind and sun.”

Mr Patel has also pleaded with consumers to engage the services of registered electrical contractors to periodically inspect the consumer service mains. “In the event that your consumer service mains have been in existence for 10 years or so, please have them inspected with urgency.

“We are receiving complaints of five to 10 cases of broken service mains on a daily basis which is causing disruption to power supply to our valued customers.”