Power Partially Restored to Cement Plant

A storm and lightning strike at the Transpower substation supplying Holcim’s Westport cement plant resulted in loss of all power to the plant on Sunday morning.


``Since the incident occurred cement plant staff and Transpower contractors have been working long hours to get power back on to systems,’’ said Ross Pickworth, General Manager, Cement.


Power has now been partially restored, and available power is being reconfigured to maximise availability to plant operations. Equipment at the plant is still being checked for any damage caused by high winds.


``We have appreciated the help received from members of the Westport community who, when they heard we had lost all power, offered generators and other help to ensure that we could maintain essential services.’’


Staff are working towards restarting one of the plant’s three cement kilns by Monday evening.


It is expected to be mid-week before the plant’s three kilns are fully operational again.