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Outage Help & FAQs

Electrical substation with transformers and power lines silhouetted against a purple sunset sky.

No power? Try these quick checks first

If you are experiencing an outage and aren't signed up for our notification service, check the following:

Check for known outages: Visit our outage map to see whether there is a planned or unplanned outage affecting your property.
Check your switchboard: Make sure all circuit breakers and safety switches are in the ON position.
Check your smart meter: If your smart meter display is blank, there may be no power supply to the property. If the meter display is visible but shows your supply has been "disconnected", please contact your electricity retailer. They can investigate the reason for disconnection and advise on next steps.
Still no power? If you've completed the check above and your property is not listed on the outage map, read the FAQs below.
Outage Map

Power outage FAQs

If you can't find the answers you need, please get in touch with our team.

Why is my power off?

There are two types of power outages: planned and unplanned.

Planned outages include planned maintenance, upgrades and work being carried out on the wider electricity network. Unplanned outages can include equipment faults, vehicle accidents and severe weather.

We work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible and provide updates to customers as information becomes available.

My power is out. When will it be restored?

Restoration times are estimates and can change as our crews assess situations and complete repairs. You can view the latest information on our outage map or sign up for outage notifications to receive updates directly by text or email.

My power is out. Why wasn't I notified in advance?

If you will be affected by a planned outage, your electricity retailer will notify you in advance, so you can plan ahead and make alternative arrangements.

However, unplanned outages can occur for a range of reasons, including equipment faults, vehicle accidents and severe weather.

To receive updates about planned and unplanned outages affecting your property, sign up for our free outage notification service.

Why is my neighbour's power on but mine is off?

The electricity network is made up of many different lines, transformers and circuits. An outage can affect one section of the network while nearby properties remain connected.

If your property is affected but the outage is not listed on our outage map, please call us on 0800 430 460 so we can investigate.

Why does my meter say 'disconnected' but there isn't an outage in my area?

If your property has a smart meter, check the display screen. If it indicates the power supply has been disconnected, this may not be related to an outage on the EA Networks network. 

If your meter shows your power supply has been disconnected, contact your electricity retailer first. They can investigate the reason for the disconnection and advise on the next steps.

What should I do during a power outage?
  • Treat all power lines as live, even if they are on the ground. If you see a downed power line, or a line at risk of coming down, stay well clear and call EA Networks on 0800 430 460 immediately.
  • Stay informed by listening to a battery-powered radio, checking our website or following EA Networks on Facebook if you have mobile coverage. You can also use your vehicle to charge your phone if needed.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help preserve food.
  • If you are medically dependent on electricity, ensure you have an emergency plan in place. Contact your electricity retailer if you have not already registered as a medically dependent consumer.

Other useful FAQs

Who should I contact if there's a problem with a public EV charger in Mid Canterbury?

If the charger is damaged or poses a safety risk, please contact EA Networks. We own and maintain the physical charging equipment.

Experiencing charging issues, such as problems starting a charging session, payment issues or connectivity issues? Contact ChargeNet, which operates the charging service.