Waikoukou
22 Boulcott Street
PO Box 1021
Wel ington 6140
New Zealand
P 64 4 495 7000
F 64 4 495 6968
www.transpower.co.nz
27 August 2021
F Smith
via the FYI website: [FYI request #16386 email]
Dear F Smith
Request for information about power outage on 9th August 2021 and communications
I refer to your Official Information Act request, dated 11 August 2021, for the fol owing:
• all internal information of which includes communication eg verbal, emails, text etc.
Including any documents and other relevant information for the incident of the
power outage across the country on Monday 9th August 2021; and
• information as to why the general public was not notified until after the power was
cut off, and specifically why was there absolutely no prior communication or warning
before the outage took place.
The Official Information Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no
later than 20 working days after the day we receive your request. We regret it will not be
possible to meet that time limit. We are therefore notifying you of an extension of the time
to make our decision, by two weeks, to 22 September 2021.
The extension is necessary because your request necessitates a search through a large
quantity of information and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere
with our operations. We are currently collating the information required for several
investigations currently ongoing into the grid emergency and outages on 9 August 2021,
including:
•
MBIE investigation:
The investigation wil investigate and report on the causes and factors contributing
to the power supply interruptions of 9 August. The investigation commenced 19
August with a target conclusion 6 to 10 weeks later. The Terms of Reference can be
found here.
•
Electricity Authority investigation (Phase 1):
This investigation will include a review of the system operator’s demand allocation
tool, and of the system operator’s communications processes and associated
protocols. The investigations have commenced and aim to be completed by 30
August. The Terms of Reference can be found here.
•
Transpower independent investigation:
This investigation has commenced and will be completed by 9th November 2021 at
the latest.
These are comprehensive investigations into the power system events of 9 August 2021
which wil answer many questions and provide information about what occurred. They may
therefore also provide the information you are requesting and/or provide answers to the
questions which lie behind your request. If you will no longer require the information
requested and are wil ing to rely on the outcomes of the three investigations mentioned, al
of which wil become public information when completed, please let us know.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact me ([email address]).
Kind regards
Charlotte Edwards
Corporate Counsel