Australia deploys lines workers to assist power restoration in Tonga Featured
The Minister for MEIDECC and Chair of the National Emergency Management Committee, Hon Poasi Tei, Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Andrew Ford and the CEO of Tonga Power Limited Robert Matthews met the lines workers as they disembarked at Fua'amotu
22 February, 2018. Australia has deployed a team of ten power lines workers and two support staff to Tonga to assist restore power to the country.
CycloneGita hit Tonga's main island of Tongatapu and nearby ‘Eua island on the night of 12 February.
Approximately 50% of the Tongatapu electricity network and close to 15% of ‘Eua’s network suffered extensive damage. An estimated 80% of homes in Tonga are without power.
Together with a team from New Zealand, Australian technicians will assist Tonga Power to restore this critical infrastructure. The initiative marks the first time that AustralianAid has partnered with the Australian private sector to deploy lines workers in a crisis response.
We are pleased to be working with energy companies NJ Constructions, Essential Energy, Transgrid and Evoenergy, which are providing skilled staff for deployment to Tonga.
Australian, New Zealand and Tongan workers will help reconnect frontline services, bring power back to homes, and enable businesses to resume operations.
