Te Aponga Uira (TAU) is about to begin a project to replace critical infrastructure (generation switch gear) in its power station. The work will require some unavoidable outages to the electricity supply in Rarotonga in May and June, with the first of a series of island-wide outages taking place on Sunday, 19 May 2024, from 1am. This outage is expected to last at least four hours.

Outages are being carefully planned for minimal disruption to residents and visitors, with our team working through the night at our generation site and around the island to carry out this critical work.

Switch gear sits at the heart of the electricity generation hardware, connecting generation to demand. TAU operates two switch rooms, which are connected to enable reliable supply to Rarotonga.

The switch gear in one of its switch rooms is over 30 years old and has enabled TAU to provide reliable electricity to homes and businesses in Rarotonga over that time. It has come to the end of its life and needs replacing.

If you have a backup generator, please check it is working in advance of this outage. We also suggest this is a good reminder to check you have essential supplies, such as flashlights and non-perishable food, and make any necessary arrangements for medical devices that require electricity.

If you manage holiday accommodation, please let your visitors know to expect a planned power outage during the early hours of Sunday 19 May.

Rarotonga enjoys one of the most reliable supplies of electricity across the Pacific, and this work is to help ensure reliability for years ahead.

TAU will inform its customers via its website, www.teaponga.com, and its Facebook page with updates on the project.

For more details about this critical infrastructure upgrade, read the press release of 6 May here. https://teaponga.com/tau-to-replace-critical-infrastructure-in-coming-weeks-notice-of-planned-outages-to-come/